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The Chief Executive, Mr Donald Tsang, arrived in Seoul, Korea this afternoon (February 19) for a two-day visit.
In a meeting with the President of Korea, Mr Lee Myung-bak, Mr Tsang exchanged views with him on the measures taken by the two governments to tackle the financial tsunami.
The two leaders agreed that the global economic situation was severe, and economies should strengthen co-ordination in the implementation of stimulus measures and prevent the surge of trade protectionism.
Mr Tsang stressed that Asian economies should step up dialogue on economic and finance matters, and ensure that the views of the Asian region would be taken into full account when the international community discussed the new international financial order.
Mr Tsang and the President hailed the close ties between the two places and discussed how the links could be further expanded.
Hong Kong and Korea are popular tourist destinations for people from both places. The two-way flow of people exceeds one million every year.
During the day, Mr Tsang also met the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Mr Yu Myung-hwan and Minister of Strategy and Finance, Mr Yoon Jeung-hyun. They explored rooms for further co-operation on economic and other areas between the two places and in the region as a whole.
Ends/Thursday, February 19, 2009
Issued at HKT 22:12
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