The Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Carrie Lam is discussing plans with ministries of the central government to help revive the city's coronavirus-battered economy during the current visit to Beijing.

In a meeting with Minister of Commerce Zhong Shan on Wednesday, Lam thanked the Ministry of Commerce for continuously supporting Hong Kong's fight against the pandemic, saying that the support greatly relieved pressure on the city's material shortages.

Lam said that many Hong Kong enterprises engaged in foreign trade are facing pressure because of the pandemic and the U.S. unilateral actions.

Showing support for the new economic development pattern of "dual circulation," Lam hoped that the ministry will assist Hong Kong enterprises in grasping business opportunities in the mainland. She added that more than 240 Hong Kong enterprises, with the support of the ministry, are taking part in the third China International Import Expo (CIIE) in Shanghai, an increase of 20 percent over the previous years.

While meeting with Minister of Science and Technology Wang Zhigang on the same day, Lam said the Ministry of Science and Technology has provided its strong support for the development of innovation and technology in the HKSAR.

She stressed that Hong Kong has advantages in making contributions to the building of the International Science and Technology Innovation Center in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, and there is ample room for cooperation on innovation between Hong Kong and Shenzhen.

Lam also said that Hong Kong is procuring vaccine through different channels and hoped for further coordination on this matter with the ministry.

Lam also met with Feng Zhenglin, head of the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC), on the same day. During the meeting, Lam emphasized the strengthening of Hong Kong's position as an international aviation hub with the support of CAAC, saying that she hoped Hong Kong International Airport will enhance cooperation with airports in the Greater Bay Area and expand multimodal transport for goods and passengers in the region.

Lam on Friday will head to Guangzhou and Shenzhen in the southern province of Guangdong to discuss the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and Hong Kong-Shenzhen cooperation.

(Cover: Chief Executive of the HKSAR Carrie Lam meets with officials from China's Ministry of Commerce, in Beijing on November 4, 2020. /Office of the Government of the HKSAR in Beijing)