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The Chief Executive, Mr Donald Tsang, touched down in Tokyo, Japan this afternoon (February 16) for a three-day visit.
Mr Tsang called on the Japanese Prime Minister, Mr Taro Aso and exchanged views with him on the development of the financial tsunami as well as measures taken to tackle the impact on the two economies.
Mr Tsang noted that export-oriented economies like Hong Kong and Japan have been heavily hit by the global financial crisis, and economies are taking extraordinary measures to support banks and the economy.
The two leaders agreed that co-ordinated efforts amongst economies are required to lead the world out of the global recession.
They also talked about the ever-growing ties between Hong Kong and Japan in areas of trade, tourism and culture.
ˇ§Hong Kong is the largest market for Japanese agricultural, forestry and fisheries products, and we welcome over a million visitors from Japan each year,ˇ¨ Mr Tsang told the Prime Minister, adding that Japanese culture is popular in Hong Kong.
In the evening, Mr Tsang also met the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Hirofumi Nakasone. They agreed to introduce a Working Holiday Scheme between Hong Kong and Japan as early as possible. The Scheme aims to enable young people from the two places to take up short-term employment and study while on holiday in each other's territory, thus promoting youth exchange.
They also agreed that there is a need to be wary of trade protectionism when dealing with the financial tsunami.
This is Mr Tsangˇ¦s first official visit to Japan as Chief Executive. He will proceed to Korea on February 19 for a two-day visit.
Ends/Monday, February 16, 2009
Issued at HKT 20:16
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