HKSAR Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor (right), accompanied by Vice Governor of Hubei Province Zhao Haishan (left) and President of Wuhan University Professor Dou Xiankang (centre), visits the campus of Wuhan University on Dec 1, 2021. (PHOTO / HKSAR GOVERNMENT)

HONG KONG – Hong Kong is exploring cooperation with Hubei to contribute to the nation’s strategic goals of peaking carbon dioxide by 2030 and reaching carbon neutrality by 2060, Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor said Wednesday.

In a statement, the government said Lam, accompanied by Vice Governor of Hubei Province Zhao Haishan, visited on Wednesday morning the China Hubei Emission Exchange, which aims to combat climate change by developing a low-carbon economy and promoting innovation in environmental protection.

Chief Executive Carrie Lam said the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region has set out proactive strategies and measures on reducing carbon emissions and is striving to achieve carbon neutrality before 2050

Lam said the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region has set out proactive strategies and measures on reducing carbon emissions and is striving to achieve carbon neutrality before 2050.

She said the city can at the same time leverage its status and advantages as an international financial center to develop green financial products and explore cooperation with Hubei to contribute to the country's strategic goals to curb carbon emissions.

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Lam then visited Wuhan University, where she met with the university's President, Professor Dou Xiankang, toured the campus and had an exchange session with Hong Kong students in Wuhan.

Wuhan University is a comprehensive and key national university directly under the administration of the Ministry of Education and with about 250 students from Hong Kong.

Lam spoke to some 70 students of Wuhan University and told them that, in the past two years, with the support of the central authorities, the National Security Law has been enacted and implemented in the HKSAR and the electoral system has been improved.

This put Hong Kong back on the right track of "one country, two systems" with the implementation of "patriots administering Hong Kong" and ushered in a new era, Lam said.

She added that Hong Kong must give full play to its advantages, leverage the support of the central authorities, proactively boost its economic vibrancy, develop new industries, seize the opportunities brought about by the nation's 14th Five-Year Plan and integrate into the overall development of the country.

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Lam also briefed students on various schemes rolled out by the HKSAR government to attract talents and said mainland students are welcome to come to Hong Kong to pursue further studies, work, travel and develop careers.

Lam said she was deeply impressed by the vitality of Wuhan after it emerged from the pandemic. She expressed the hope that Hong Kong and Hubei will enhance cooperation for mutual benefit and contribute to the development of the country.

Lam was expected to return to Hong Kong via Shenzhen on Wednesday evening.