New opportunities abound for European companies in Hong Kong and the mainland of China, the Chief Executive, Mr Tung Chee Hwa, has told a high-powered dinner audience of corporate executives, politicians and diplomats in Brussels.

Speaking last (Monday) night at the inaugural annual Hong Kong Dinner in Europe, Mr Tung said China's opening up and economic reforms would draw the European and Hong Kong business communities even closer together.

"Hong Kong has been enriched over many decades by different ideas and cultures, blending the best of East and West. Europe has contributed greatly to this process," Mr Tung said at the dinner, hosted by the Trade Development Council and attended by more than 200 people.

"It is more than the prospect of making money. The deeper attraction is Hong Kong itself.

"Hong Kong is in the midst of where many of the most important events of the 21st Century will happen.

"This is when Hong Kong's unique strengths as a 'supercity' for international business will be in most demand, mediating not just between the Chinese Mainland economy and the world but between Asia and the world.

"In short, the SAR of Hong Kong is poised to reach even greater heights as the new century unfolds. I invite even greater participation from European business in our continued success."

Mr Tung said more than 600 European companies had regional headquarters or offices in Hong Kong, while more than 50,000 European citizens lived in the SAR.

The Chief Executive also called on European countries to give visa-free access for the SAR Passport.

Mr Tung said business and tourism travel between Europe and Hong Kong was strong, increasing by more than 10 per cent a year.

"Last year more than 300,000 Hong Kong people visited the EU and 1.6 million EU citizens visited Hong Kong. These figures help to explain the steady growth of business, trade, investment, tourism and cultural exchanges between us," he said.

"All citizens of EU member states can enter Hong Kong visa free. But I'm afraid the same is not yet true for Hong Kong people travelling to Continental Europe on the new SAR Passport.

"Something further needs to be done. We are grateful to the United Kingdom and Ireland for joining others in the Asia-Pacific Region to give visa free access to SAR Passports.

"I hope other members of the EU will soon follow suit."

Mr Tung informed dinner guests about life in Hong Kong since the Handover, the development of the SAR's political system, and the ongoing commitment to the rule of law, a free and open press, civil liberties and human rights.

He outlined his plans to improve education, encourage the development of value-added service industries and increase the use of information technology to maintain Hong Kong's economic vitality and competitiveness in the future.

Photos on the Chief Executive's visit in Belgium