Secretary for Security Tang will lead heads of six disciplined forces - police, immigration, customs, correctional, fire and flying services - on a four-day trip to the capital, Guangzhou and Shenzhen.

While in Beijing, Tang and his delegation will meet up with Chinese Communist Party central committee's commission for political and legal affairs and the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office.

They will also meet officials from the ministries of public security, transport, emergency management, justice and customs.

The delegation will depart for Guangzhou Wednesday to meet Guangdong public security officials and Shenzhen's public security bureau the next day. They will return on Thursday.

Sun, the secretary for labor and welfare, is bringing social welfare sector representatives on a three-day trip to Shenzhen, Guangzhou and Zhongshan to visit elderly and rehabilitation service facilities.

Those joining the visit include leaders and senior managers from Hong Kong Social Welfare Sector Heart to Heart Joint Action, community associations, NGOs and the Hong Kong Council of Social Service. Labour and Welfare Bureau, Elderly Commission, Rehabilitation Advisory Committee and Social Welfare Department reps are also in the delegation.

They will attend a seminar hosted by the Department of Civil Affairs of Guangdong on GBA development.

In their absence, undersecretary for security Michael Cheuk Hau-yip and under secretary for labor and welfare Jonathan Ho Kai-ming will be acting chiefs.

Secretary for Education Christine Choi Yuk-lin yesterday departed for a six-day trip to Chongqing and Chengdu.

She and a group of principals and teachers will join the 28th Gala for Gardeners of Chinese Nation in Chongqing, which is organized by the Ministry of Education.

That came as Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po said Hong Kong now has a "golden window for development" as it speeds up post-Covid economic recovery.

In his blog yesterday, Chan summarized his trip to Beijing last week, when he and heads of major financial regulators visited over a dozen departments and institutions.

"I had a strong impression although the pandemic had hindered interactions, mainland authorities have been closely following Hong Kong and are highly concerned about our situation. They hope to give us more support and elevate collaborations.

"Hong Kong has the edge in all aspects and is now in a golden window for development," he said. "Global transportation is gradually resuming and Hong Kong's advantages as a regional hub has resurfaced, attracting businesses, conventions, exhibitions and trade fairs."