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Earlier today (October 18), the Chief Executive, Mr Tung Chee Hwa, briefed President Jiang Zemin and Vice-Premier Qian Qichen on the latest situation in Hong Kong.
Speaking in Shanghai, where he is attending the 2001 APEC Meetings, Mr Tung said he discussed a range of issues with both leaders, including ways in which to boost co-operation between Hong Kong and the Mainland.
He said both President Jiang and Vice-Premier Qian had a very deep understanding of Hong Kong issues and that the Central Government had always been very supportive of Hong Kong. The leaders were very confident about Hong Kong's future.
"We discussed areas where the Mainland and Hong Kong can work together to create a win-win situation," said Mr Tung.
"Closer co-operation in the midst of economic difficulties would be particularly helpful. Any form of working together would be aimed at creating a win-win situation."
The Chief Executive cited tourism, cross-boundary infrastructure and environmental protection as areas where increased co-operation would benefit both Hong Kong and Guangdong Province.
"These are ample demonstrations of how we can come together and work together," he said.
"We have been evaluating what more can be done. And in the months ahead we will be looking at these things and consulting with the Central Government."
Speaking at the APEC CEO Summit, Mr Tung explained Hong Kong's development strategies for the future to a packed house that included some of the Asia-Pacific's most influential business leaders.
Mr Tung outlined how the SAR Government was pushing ahead with long-term plans to enhance competitiveness and the business environment, while also introducing short-term measures to help people through the current economic downturn.
In particular, Mr Tung explained government initiatives to boost the education system by increasing spending and devoting more resources to improving the quality of teaching and learning at all levels.
He detailed government plans to spend US$640 million to provide partial tuition support for Hong Kong people wishing to improve themselves and increase their skills and knowledge through ongoing education.
The Chief Executive also detailed government plans to spend US$75 billion on infrastructure in the next dozen or so years to make Hong Kong a more efficient city in which to live and work.
"Let me tell you, 10 years from now, compared to what we are today, Hong Kong will be a very different and vastly superior city," he said.
Tonight, Mr Tung hosted a cocktail reception for Hong Kong delegates to the APEC CEO Summit as well as Hong Kong members of the APEC Business Advisory Council.
Tomorrow, Mr Tung will hold several bilateral meetings ahead of the APEC Economic Leaders Meetings starting on Saturday.
End/Thursday, October 18, 2001
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