Xia Baolong meets with Chen Guoji in Beijing

The delegation from the “University Town Planning and Construction Group” under the “North Metropolitan Area Development Committee,” led by Chief Executive of the Government Administration Committee Chen Guoji, continued its visit to Beijing today (the 2nd) as part of its itinerary. Xia Baolong, Director of the Central Office for Work Relating to Hong Kong and Macao and Director of the State Council’s Office for Hong Kong and Macao Affairs, met with Chen Guoji and his delegation this morning.

Chen Guoji thanked Xia Baolong for his concern and guidance regarding the HKSAR government’s work on the planning and development of the North Metropolis University Town, and briefed him on the work undertaken by the delegation of the construction and preparation group over the past three days. They visited the Ningbo Higher Education Park and the Xiong’an New Area in Hebei, among other places. Through on-site inspections of higher education development in various locations, they exchanged successful experiences and development strategies with experts and academics, injecting practical inspiration into the top-level design for the North Metropolis University Town. They will also drive an in-depth integration between Hong Kong’s advantages in academic fields and industries, while at the same time realizing the promotion of industrial development through education.

Chen Guoji said that the construction and preparation group will continue to promote the development of the North Metropolis University Town with improved quality, faster pace, and higher efficiency. It will actively connect with the country’s “15th Five-Year Plan Outline” and contribute Hong Kong’s strength to the development of a strong country in education, helping Hong Kong better integrate into and serve the overall development of the country.

Xu Qifang, Vice Director in charge of day-to-day work at the Central Office for Work Relating to Hong Kong and Macao and the State Council’s Office for Hong Kong and Macao Affairs, attended the meeting. The Director of the Education Bureau of the HKSAR, Dr. Tsai Jo-lin, also made a briefing. The Director of the North Metropolitan Area Co-ordination Office, Su Huisi, as well as representatives from eight universities funded by the University Grants Committee, also attended the meeting.

After completing their visit itinerary in Beijing, Chen Guoji and the delegation members returned to Hong Kong this afternoon. Dr. Tsai Jo-lin continued her visit to Beijing this afternoon and will return to Hong Kong tomorrow (the 3rd).