Dr Stephen Wong, Head of the Chief Executive’s Policy Unit (CEPU), led a delegation comprising 19 professional management and research colleagues of the CEPU to participate in a six-day study and exchange programme in Beijing. The programme was completed on 5 December. During the course of the programme, the CEPU delegation was received by the Director of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council (HKMAO), Mr Xia Baolong. Dr Wong thanked Mr Xia for his encouragement to the CEPU and recognition of its work, by which Dr Wong and members of the CEPU were deeply heartened. During his stay in Beijing, Dr Wong also called on eight central ministries and state institutions to exchange views with departmental officials responsible for policy research and Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan affairs to gain a deeper understanding of our country’s top-level strategic planning in various areas.
 The CEPU delegation was received by Mr Xia Baolong, Director of the HKMAO. |
 Mr Xia Baolong, Director of the HKMAO, received the CEPU delegation at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse. |
Mr Xia Baolong, Director of the HKMAO, received the CEPU delegation at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse on the morning of 4 December. During the meeting, Dr Wong reported to Mr Xia on the CEPU’s work over the past year, which included research and studies carried out by the CEPU on the implementation of national strategic planning, the impact of changes in global situation, the socio-economic development of Hong Kong, the studies on public opinions and sentiments in Hong Kong, as well as topical studies conducted by tertiary institutions and think tanks with funding support from the CEPU. Dr Wong also reported on the regular tasks of the CEPU, which included weekly reporting to the Chief Executive and submission of research reports covering various topics; the co-ordination mechanism among various bureaux to facilitate daily research work and the preparation of the Policy Address; liaison with stakeholders of different sectors of the community on various issues; provision of secretariat support for the Chief Executive’s Council of Advisers and the interface with researches of the CEPU Expert Group; collaboration with high-end think tanks; and the continued enhancement of strategic thinking and research capabilities within CEPU.
Mr Xia Baolong fully recognised the work carried out by the CEPU since its establishment in his remarks.
Calling on central ministries and state institutions
During his stay in Beijing, Dr Wong called on eight central ministries and state institutions, including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the National Development and Reform Commission, the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Science and Technology, the Ministry of Commerce, the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, the State Administration of Foreign Exchange of the People’s Bank of China, and the Development Research Centre of the State Council. He had exchanges with officials responsible for policy research and Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan affairs. Apart from gaining in-depth knowledge of the country’s top-level strategic planning and policy systems in different areas, Dr Wong introduced to the officials concerned the roles and modus operandi of the CEPU with a view to exploringrooms of collaboration in the future.
 Dr Stephen Wong, Head of the CEPU, Dr Wang Chunxin, Deputy Head of the CEPU, and research colleagues visited the Ministry of Education. |
 Dr Stephen Wong, Head of the CEPU, Dr Wang Chunxin, Deputy Head of the CEPU, and research colleagues visited the Ministry of Science and Technology. |
 Dr Stephen Wong, Head of the CEPU, Dr Wang Chunxin, Deputy Head of the CEPU, and research colleagues visited the Ministry of Commerce. |
 Dr Stephen Wong, Head of the CEPU, Dr Wang Chunxin, Deputy Head of the CEPU, and research colleagues visited the Ministry of Culture and Tourism. |
 Dr Stephen Wong, Head of the CEPU, Dr Wang Chunxin, Deputy Head of the CEPU, and research colleagues visited the State Administration of Foreign Exchange of the People’s Bank of China. |
 Dr Stephen Wong, Head of the CEPU, Dr Wang Chunxin, Deputy Head of the CEPU, and research colleagues visited the Development Research Centre of the State Council. |
Study programme on “Enhancing Strategic Planning and Policy Research Capabilities”
The study programme on “Enhancing Strategic Planning and Policy Research Capabilities” was organised by the Peking University. Heavyweight scholars were invited to share and exchange insights in the programme on strategic issues including the Chinese-style modernisation, furthering efforts on reform and high-standard opening up to the world, global technology and innovation, etc. Speakers included Professor Liu Wei, former Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee of the Renmin University of China (RUC) and former President of the RUC, who gave an in-depth analysis of the essence of the Chinese-style modernisation and the significance of high-quality development to the continuous advancement of our country’s modernisation; Professor Zhang Yansheng, Principal Researcher of the China Center for International Economic Exchanges and former Secretary General of the Academic Committee of the National Development and Reform Commission, who summarised the historical experience of the reform and opening up of the Mainland and its way forward, as well as Hong Kong’s unique status and advantages amid the Sino-American competition; and also Professor Rao Geping, former Professor of the Peking University Law School and ex-member of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Basic Law Committee, who shared his insightful analysis and reflections on how to “fully, faithfully and resolutely” implement the principle of the “One Country, Two Systems”. Members of the delegation also visited the Museum of the Communist Party of China (CPC) to deepen their understanding of the centennial history of the CPC and delve into the huge sacrifices and contributions made by the martyrs and vanguards of the revolution for the founding of New China and the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.
 Group photo of the CEPU members at the Ho Ying Chie Overseas Exchange Center of the Peking University at the beginning of the six-day study programme. |
 Dr Stephen Wong addressed the opening ceremony and on his side were Professor Fang Fang, Vice President of the Peking University. |
 Dr Stephen Wong presented the Chief Executive’s latest Policy Address and a notebook with the message of “Starting a New Chapter for Hong Kong Together” printed on the cover to Professor Lu Feng from the Department of Political Economy of the School of Government of the Peking University. Professor Lu was one of the speakers of the study programme. |
 Dr Wang Chunxin and Mr Nicholas Kwan, Deputy Heads of the CEPU, presented the Chief Executive’s latest Policy Address and a notebook with the message of “Starting a New Chapter for Hong Kong Together” printed on the cover to Professor Wang Yong from the School of International Studies, Peking University. |
 The CEPU delegation visited the Museum of the CPC and listened attentively to the explanation by the docent. |
Visiting the Beijing Office
During his stay in Beijing, Dr Stephen Wong also visited the Office of the Government of the HKSAR in Beijing (Beijing Office). He met with Mr Rex Chang, Director of the Beijing Office, to learn more about the support provided by the Beijing Office for Hong Kong people studying, working and doing business in the Mainland, and the efforts of the Office in promoting our culture and arts in various Mainland provinces and municipalities as well as on telling the good stories of Hong Kong. The delegation and Dr Wong returned to Hong Kong on 5 and 7 December respectively.
 Dr Stephen Wong, Head of the CEPU, met with Mr Rex Chang, Director of the Beijing Office. |
 Dr Stephen Wong, Head of the CEPU, and the CEPU’s research colleagues met with Mr Rex Chang, Director of the Beijing Office, and the staff of the Beijing Office. |
Conclusion
In concluding the visit, Dr Stephen Wong pointed out that members of the delegation had seized the opportunity to actively engage in in-depth exchanges with heavyweight scholars and researchers. He believed that his colleagues had benefited immensely in respect of the future strategic planning and research work for Hong Kong’s integration into our country’s development. He expected that members of the delegation would make use of what they had gained to discharge their duties in future and continue to strengthen their research capabilities by understanding the national development strategies and enhancing their strategic thinking in various areas, thereby assisting the better integration of Hong Kong into the development of the country in their daily work and giving full play to Hong Kong’s unique position and advantages of enjoying strong support of the motherland and being closely connected to the world, as the country embarked on the journey towards high-quality development.