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The Chief Executive, Mr Donald Tsang, and a delegation of government officials and local business leaders arrived in Changsha this afternoon (September 24) on a three-day study tour of Hunan Province.
Mr Tsang and the 100-member delegation were greeted at Changsha Huanghua International Airport by Vice Governor of Hunan Province, Mr Xu Yunzhao, and other senior officials.
The visitors’ first activity was a visit to the Yuelu Academy, one of the four leading ancient academies in China with more than 1,000 years’ history behind it. There they were briefed by Hunan officials and viewed display panels on the province's latest developments and future planning.
The group also took the opportunity to admire the traditional architecture and calligraphy inscriptions at the academy.
The delegation then met with top officials including Hunan Communist Party Secretary Mr Zhang Chunxian and Hunan Governor Mr Zhou Bohua and attended a welcoming dinner hosted by the Hunan Provincial Government.
Speaking at the dinner, Mr Tsang said, “Hunan offers Hong Kong entrepreneurs and investors a favourable investment environment because of its rich labour resources, low production costs, and the provincial government’s policy to actively promote industrialisation.”
Mr Tsang noted that a recent financial delegation led by the Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury to Hunan had received positive response. “I am convinced that given their profound professional knowledge and international experience, Hong Kong’s financial services trade will make significant contribution to Hunan’s economic and trade development,” he added.
“At the same time, the nation’s ‘11.5’ Economic Plan enhances support for the rising central region, raises the level of development in industries and promotes industrialisation and urbanisation. I expect Hunan’s economic activities to increase by leaps and bounds over the next few years.
“I hope Hong Kong businessmen will take early advantage of this development,” Mr Tsang said.
The Chief Executive said that Hong Kong’s many advantages would help promote the development of Hunan’s industry and service trade.
“I think close co-operation between Hunan and Hong Kong will be mutually beneficial,” he said.
The delegation will take part in the “Hong Kong – Hunan Business Co-operation Symposium” tomorrow. The symposium aims to promote trade and economic ties between the two places.
The Hunan visit is organised by the Commerce, Industry and Technology Bureau and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council. Government officials joining the visit include the Secretary for Commerce, Industry and Technology, Mr Joseph WP Wong; the Director of the Chief Executive's Office, Mr John Tsang; the Permanent Secretary for Commerce, Industry and Technology (Commerce and Industry), Miss Yvonne Choi and the Permanent Secretary for Constitutional Affairs, Mrs Cherry Tse.
Ends/Sunday, September 24, 2006
Issued at HKT 19:42
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