The Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Edward Yau, started his visit programme in Brussels, Belgium yesterday (January 22, Brussels time) to deepen Hong Kong's ties with the European Union (EU) and Belgium.
In the morning, Mr Yau met with the Vice President for Jobs, Growth, Investment and Competitiveness of the European Commission, Mr Jyrki Katainen. He highlighted the importance of Hong Kong's trade and economic relationship with the EU and updated him that Hong Kong was taking an active and unique role in the national policy of the Belt and Road Initiative, which would present enormous collaboration opportunities between Europe and Hong Kong, such as in green financing and infrastructural projects.
They also exchanged views on the issues ahead in global trade and affirmed the commitment of both sides towards the rule-based multilateral trading system in the next stage of work after the 11th World Trade Organization Ministerial Conference held in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
In addition, Mr Yau attended a luncheon co-hosted by the Belgium-Hong Kong Society and the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, Brussels (HKETO, Brussels). He briefed the attending board members the latest developments of Hong Kong in areas such as creative industries and tourism as well as Hong Kong's unique role in the Belt and Road Initiative.
In the afternoon, Mr Yau visited the Belgian Comic Strip Center to learn more about Belgium's comic art. Housed in a historic building, the Centre aims to conserve and promote comics, and safeguard and showcase the museum building, an architectural masterpiece. Noting that Belgian comics was featured in various exhibitons held in Hong Kong in the past, Mr Yau said he looks forward to more such collaborations in the near future.
Mr Yau also attended a dinner hosted by the Chinese Ambassador to Belgium, Mr Qu Xing. He expressed his gratitude to the Chinese Embassy in Belgium for its support to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government and the HKETO, Brussels all along.
Mr Yau will continue his visit programme in Brussels today (January 23, Brussels time).
Tuesday, January 23, 2018