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More than 500 representatives from relevant trade and industries in Hong Kong and Taiwan this afternoon (April 15) attended the Hong Kong-Taiwan Inter-City Forum afternoon.
The forum was organised by the Constitutional and Mainland Affairs Bureau, with the support of the Hong Kong Trade Development Council and the Hong Kong Tourism Board.
Through organising forums with cities and counties in Taiwan, the Hong Kong Government hopes to strengthen exchanges and interaction at the city level, thereby enhancing co-operation and friendship, a Government spokesman said.
The forum began with a launching ceremony. The Financial Secretary, Mr John C Tsang, delivered a welcoming speech. At the plenary session, the Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mrs Rita Lau, and the Mayor of Taichung City, Mr Jason Hu, delivered keynote speeches on the theme of "Exchanges between Hong Kong and Taichung: Past, Now and Future". Other officiating guests at the launching ceremony included the Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs, Mr Stephen Lam; the Chairman of the Hong Kong Tourism Board, Mr James Tien; the Executive Director of the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, Mr Fred Lam; the Honorary Chairman of the Taiwan Tourist Association, Mr Stanley Yen; and the Chairman of Global Union Industrial Corp, Mr Ou-yang Ming.
The plenary session was followed by two break-out discussion sessions, during which representatives of the relevant industries in Hong Kong and Taiwan discussed issues related to tourism as well as economic and trade development.
At the closing session, the moderators of the break-out sessions reported their conclusions while the Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs, Mr Stephen Lam, delivered a concluding speech.
Earlier this morning, the Chief Executive, Mr Donald Tsang, met Mayor Hu at the Government House. The Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Henry Tang, hosted a lunch in honour of Mayor Hu and participants of the Forum.
Ends/Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Issued at HKT 21:03
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