'GBA Tour Shows HK Must Make Up For Lost Time'

Chief Executive John Lee said on Monday that the government's four-day visit to the Greater Bay Area has shown that Hong Kong has to make up for lost time, adding that the trip was just the beginning of journeys up north.

Lee made the remarks on his return to the SAR after leading a delegation of senior Hong Kong officials and lawmakers to Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Dongguan and Foshan, where they visited the country’s top tech firms and met mainland officials.

The CE said the tour, which featured visits to ventures involved in innovative technology, and smart city and youth developments, brought cooperation between the SAR and the Greater Bay Area to new heights.

"Hong Kong and the four GBA cities we visited had reached a consensus that we will work together to contribute to the GBA's infrastructure, and boost the high-quality development in the area," he said.

Lee said the tour also highlighted solidarity within the legislature and deepened ties with Greater Bay Area officials, adding that Hong Kong lawmakers will continue to visit other cities in the region.

“Chaos and filibustering” within the legislature were now a thing of the past, the CE said, adding that the SAR must strengthen its international position by the use of innovative technology.

Legco President Andrew Leung, for his part, thanked the administration and Guangdong officials for arranging the large-scale tour.

He said the visit had yielded unprecedented results and that lawmakers would continue to work as a team to contribute to the nation's development.