FS in meetings in Taiwan (with photos/ video)

FS in meetings in Taiwan (with photos/ video)
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     The Financial Secretary, Mr John C Tsang, met the media in Taipei today (August 30), after a joint meeting of the Hong Kong-Taiwan Economic and Cultural Co-operation and Promotion Council (ECCPC) and the Taiwan-Hong Kong Economic and Cultural Co-operation Council (THEC).

     The Financial Secretary welcomed the announcement of ECCPC and THEC on a number of co-operation areas between Hong Kong and Taiwan after the joint meeting this morning.

     "The establishment of the ECCPC and THEC is to provide a platform for multi-faceted and multi-level exchanges and co-operation between Hong Kong and Taiwan. The direction and scope of co-operation announced by the heads of the two Councils after the meeting include areas such as economic and trade, tourism, cultural exchanges, which would be conducive to the overall development of the two places and the long-term positive interaction on bilateral co-operation. The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government will render full support in achieving these initiatives."

     "During the current visit, members of our Hong Kong-Taiwan Business Co-operation Committee and Hong Kong-Taiwan Cultural Co-operation Committee will meet members of the Economic Co-operation Committee and Cultural Co-operation Committee under the THEC for the first time.  Both sides wish to make good use of the new co-operation platform in fostering exchanges and co-operation in economic, trade and culture between Hong Kong and Taiwan."

     "I have just met the head of the Taiwan Mainland Affairs Council, Dr Lai Shin-yuan, and discussed with her co-operation in a number of areas. Both sides have reached consensus proactively on the following areas:

(1) Both sides agree to further enhance exchanges between Hong Kong and Taiwan on all fronts.  To facilitate long-term co-operation and communication, the Taiwan side welcomes Hong Kong to set up in Taipei a multi-functional office.  Both sides will discuss detailed arrangements for the setting up of the office;

(2) Both sides agree to jointly promote tourism co-operation between the two places. The Taiwan side supports the setting up of an office in Taipei by the Hong Kong Tourism Board to strengthen our tourism promotion work in Taiwan. Both sides agree to actively pursue this issue in the near future with a view to implementing the relevant arrangements as soon as possible;

(3) Both sides support the strengthening of bilateral co-operation in financial services and regulation, and actively urge the respective responsible organisations to strengthen communication channel and liaison mechanism on co-operation in regulating the banking industry in the near future;

(4) Both sides recognise the importance of fostering trade and economic ties between the two places and agree to make use of the new ECCPC-THEC platform to actively explore opportunities for economic and trade co-operation, and on double taxation avoidance issues;

(5) Both sides support the active consideration of updating the air transport arrangements between Hong Kong and Taiwan by the respective responsible organisations and the implementation of the relevant arrangements through the ECCPC-THEC platform in the near future."

     "During the meeting, the Mainland Affairs Council put forth suggestions on the provision of permit-free access for Taiwan residents visiting Hong Kong and enhancement in the functions of Taiwan organisations in Hong Kong.  We indicated that we would follow-up and examine the issues carefully.  We would be ready to continue to consider positively proposals that would further facilitate the entry of Taiwan visitors to Hong Kong.  With the establishment of ECCPC and THEC, we believe that interactions between Hong Kong and Taiwan will be further enhanced, the dimension of work will be deepened; also, the functions of the Taiwan organisations in Hong Kong will continue to be enhanced.  We would welcome opportunities in fostering closer interaction and co-operation between the two places with Taiwan organisations in Hong Kong."

    "Apart from the above issues, there are many other co-operation issues that merit consideration and study, such as medical and health co-operation, food safety notification, etc.  We would be pleased to consider and study proposals or plans that would be conducive to strengthening Hong Kong-Taiwan relations and promoting the well-being of the public in both places."

     "I am happy to see that the ECCPC and THEC will continue to discuss these issues and in due course, the responsible organisations of the two places will further study and discuss them through the ECCPC-THEC platform."

Ends/Monday, August 30, 2010
Issued at HKT 19:43

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