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The Vice-Premier of the State Council, Mr Li Keqiang, attended a tea gathering with some 30 representatives from the industrial, commercial and professional sectors in the evening on the first day of his visit to Hong Kong today (August 16).
Accompanying Mr Li at the tea gathering were the Chairman of the National Development and Reform Commission, Mr Zhang Ping; the Minister of Commerce, Mr Chen Deming; the Governor of the People's Bank of China, Mr Zhou Xiaochuan; the Deputy Secretary-General of the State Council, Mr You Quan; the Director of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council, Mr Wang Guangya; and the Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Mr Peng Qinghua.
The Financial Secretary, Mr John C Tsang, chaired the tea gathering. The Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Professor K C Chan, and the Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Gregory So, were also present. Accompanied by the Chief Executive, Mr Donald Tsang, Mr Li listened to views expressed by the representatives and made a few remarks.
Mr Li said that he was pleased to have the opportunity to meet the individuals and representatives from the industrial, commercial and professional sectors, and to listen to their views and suggestions on strengthening the financial, economic and commercial ties between the Mainland and Hong Kong.
He praised the industrial, commercial and professional sectors for their irreplaceable contribution to the development of Hong Kong. "Organisations represented by you have built on your advantages, professionalism and the spirit of serving to promote the city's prosperity," he said.
Mr Li said that Hong Kong's development relied to a certain degree on the service sector, which accounted for 92 per cent of the economy and was of a relatively high professional standard. He took the opportunity to show his appreciation to individuals and organisations of various industrial, commercial and professional sectors.
Mr Li then attended a dinner hosted by Mr Tsang and his wife at Government House. Also attending the dinner were the Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Henry Tang; the Financial Secretary, Mr John C Tsang; and the Secretary for Justice, Mr Wong Yan Lung, SC.
Ends/Tuesday, August 16, 2011
Issued at HKT 22:52
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