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The Chief Executive, Mr Donald Tsang, has touched down in Vancouver today (October 22, Vancouver time) to kick off his first official visit to North America as Chief Executive.
Mr Tsang's seven-day visit takes in Vancouver, New York and the US capital Washington D.C.
"Canada and the US are two of our most important trading partners," said Mr Tsang.
"But what makes our relationship so special with both countries is the fact that we have such close people-to-people links.
"There are tens of thousands of Canadian and US citizens living and working in Hong Kong. At the same time, tens of thousands Hong Kong people live, work or study in these two countries.
"We cherish these economic and social links and I hope that my visit to North America can reinforce and strengthen these ties."
During a packed week of breakfasts, briefings and meetings the Chief Executive will update government leaders, business chiefs and thing-tanks on Hong Kong's latest economic and political developments.
He will encourage more Canadian and US companies to make use of Hong Kong's strengths as Asia's business and financial services hub.
He will stress Hong Kong's unbeatable advantages as the best two-way platform for doing business in the rapidly growing Mainland China market.
Mr Tsang will also outline the numerous business opportunities in the burgeoning Pearl River Delta and highlight the massive potential of the Pan-PRD region with a possible market of 460 million people.
On the political front, the Chief Executive will explain in detail Hong Kong's electoral reform package and plans to boost the representativeness of the elections of the Chief Executive in 2007 and the Legislative Council in 2008.
Tomorrow (October 23, Vancouver time), Mr Tsang takes to the airwaves with legislator and former radio host Albert Cheng for a one-hour interview and phone-in programme on Chinese-language station, AM1320.
Following the radio programme, Mr Tsang will meet British Columbia Premier, Mr Gordon Campbell.
Later that day the Chief Executive will attend a VIP Reception hosted by Mr Campbell for top officials and corporate leaders attending Canada's first Hong Kong - Guangdong Business Forum in Vancouver on October 24.
Among the guests at the reception will be Guangdong Governor Huang Huahua, leading Canadian business executives and members of British Columbia's Asia Pacific Trade Council.
Mr Tsang will then join Governor Huang and 800 guests for the Pearl River Delta Dinner hosted by Mr Campbell at the Hyatt Regency Hotel.
Ends/Sunday, October 23, 2005
Issued at HKT 06:00
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