Chief Executive John Lee said Hong Kong will sign cooperation agreements with Zhejiang province in fields ranging from science and technology, housing, economic and trade, to youth development.

Lee and seven principal officials including Chief Secretary Eric Chan arrived in Hangzhou on Tuesday afternoon. Their first stop was a scientific and technological innovation centre at Zhejiang University.

Writing on social media, Lee noted how the tech hub facilitated collaboration between industry, education and research.

He also revealed that over 4,000 Zhejiang University graduates have so far been approved to work in Hong Kong under the Top Talent Pass scheme.

The chief executive then attended a dinner hosted by the Hong Kong Chamber of Commerce in Zhejiang, talking to Hong Kong enterprises operating there.

Lee urged the SAR companies to showcase their strengths and help their Zhejiang counterparts go global and attract foreign investment, while fostering high-quality development between the two regions.

He said the government attaches great importance to setting up cooperation mechanisms with Zhejiang, and the two sides will sign cooperation agreements in various areas.

Lee will also visit Ningbo later this week before returning to Hong Kong on Friday.