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The Chief Executive, Mr Donald Tsang, has today (October 23, Vancouver time) taken to airwaves in Canada to explain the latest developments in Hong Kong - the first Chief Executive to appear on a live phone-in programme in Canada.
Mr Tsang was guest of honour during an hour-long interview and phone-in programme hosted by Hong Kong legislator Albert Cheng on radio station AM1320.
During the Chinese-language programme, Mr Tsang chatted with listeners in the Vancouver area and gave them an overview of Hong Kong's economic prospects and political development.
A special hour-long programme before Mr Tsang's appearance covered topics raised in Chief Executive's Policy Address of October 12.
The Vancouver metropolitan area is home to more than 340,000 Chinese people, or just over 17% of the population, many of who are Hong Kong emigrants who maintain close family and business links to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.
In certain areas, such as Burnaby, Vancouver city and Richmond, Chinese people account for between 26% to almost 40% of the population.
Chinese language media organisations maintain a strong presence in the city, including the AM1320 and Fairchild radio stations, as well as the Sing Tao, Ming Pao and the World Journal newspapers.
During the programme, Mr Tsang discussed a range of issues including Hong Kong-Canada ties, the quality of life in Hong Kong, job opportunities for professionals and young people, political development, the Policy Address, air pollution and environmental protection.
"I used this opportunity to talk to the erstwhile Hong Kong residents who are here and who are very anxious to know the latest developments in Hong Kong," he said.
"They are instrumental in the flow of investments from Canada to Hong Kong, so I met them and talked to them over the radio, and also met the media here."
Later in the day, Mr Tsang met British Columbia Premier, Mr Gordon Campbell, and provided him with an update on Hong Kong's GDP growth, the exciting developments in the tourism industry and the improving employment situation.
The Chief Executive outlined the benefits of enhanced economic co-operation with the Mainland, in particular the potential of the Pan-PRD area and the operation of the Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement.
Mr Tsang also highlighted Hong Kong's strengths as the best gateway for Canadian companies to enter the Mainland market, and for Mainland companies to explore opportunities globally, including in Canada.
The two further discussed British Columbia's recently launched Asia-Pacific strategy to promote the province's trade, tourism and cultural opportunities and to strengthen relations with Asia-Pacific economies, including Hong Kong.
That night, Mr Tsang attended a VIP reception hosted by Mr Campbell and attended by Governor of Guangdong Province Mr Huang Huahua and members of British Columbia's Asia Pacific Trade Council.
The Chief Executive then joined Premier Campbell, Governor Huang and 800 other guests for the gala Pearl River Delta Dinner ahead of tomorrow's (October 24, Vancouver time) Hong Kong-Guangdong Business Forum in Canada 2005.
Also tomorrow, Mr Tsang will meet Canada's Federal Minister of Industry, Mr David Emerson.
Tomorrow afternoon, Mr Tsang flies to New York to start the US leg of his seven-day North America visit.
Ends/Monday, October 24, 2005
Issued at HKT 14:49
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