Lam on Sunday concluded a four-day visit to Urumqi, the region’s capital, where he met with high-level government and party officials, representatives from Xinjiang’s legal and business sectors, as well as the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps.

“Hong Kong’s role in Xinjiang’s legal services is important as the place is seen as a ‘bridge’ linking China with many Belt and Road Initiative countries,” Lam told the Post, referring to an ongoing effort to link economies into a China-centred trade network, largely through major infrastructure projects abroad.

“The city and Xinjiang can complement each other and further contribute to the quality development of our motherland,” he added.

Wrapping up his trip, Lam said his visit was a “deeply moving experience”, and Hong Kong and Xinjiang could work together to leverage their strengths to contribute to the nation.

“I witnessed Xinjiang’s latest developments first-hand, particularly its progress in building a system of law, and gained a better understanding of the region’s actual legal service needs,” said Lam as he recalled visiting the region over two decades ago.