Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu (left) meets with Finance Minister Lan Fo’an in Beijing on March 4, 2024. The two officials exchanged views on enhancing financial cooperation between the Chinese mainland and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, as well as strengthening Hong Kong’s status as an international financial center. (PROVIDED TO CHINA DAILY)

Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu embarked on a visit to Beijing on Monday to attend the opening meeting of the second annual session of the 14th National People’s Congress today.

Lee began the trip by visiting the Ministry of Finance. During a meeting with Finance Minister Lan Fo’an, they exchanged views on enhancing financial cooperation between the Chinese mainland and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, as well as strengthening Hong Kong’s status as an international financial center.

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Lee thanked the ministry for its longstanding policy support for the HKSAR, including the issuance of renminbi sovereign bonds in Hong Kong for 15 consecutive years.

The HKSAR government will continue to work with mainland authorities to leverage the city’s international financial system and professional services to promote the internationalization of the renminbi, green economic transformation, and high-quality development.

Lee also witnessed the signing of several cooperation initiatives between the Hong Kong Jockey Club, the National Health Commission, and the HKSAR’s Health Bureau. The pacts focus on strengthening training for healthcare professionals and launching projects to prevent and respond to communicable diseases.

He said the HKSAR government will continue to strengthen cross-border medical collaboration and make more efforts to contribute to the country’s medical development, such as supporting the internationalization of national hospital accreditation standards.

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Lee is scheduled to return to Hong Kong on Wednesday. Accompanying him on the trip are Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury Christopher Hui Ching-yu, Secretary for Health Lo Chung-mau, and Director of the Chief Executive’s Office Carol Yip Man-kuen.

On Feb 20 and 21, Lee hosted engagement sessions with about 30 Hong Kong deputies to the NPC and over 100 Hong Kong members of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference.

Lee said he believes their proposals will enable Hong Kong to leverage its advantages and contribute effectively to the country’s needs.