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The Financial Secretary, Mr John C Tsang, is visiting Taipei from June 5 to 7.
Mr Tsang met the Chairperson of the Taiwan-Hong Kong Economic and Cultural Co-operation Council (THEC), Mr Johnnason Liu, this morning (June 6). Both sides recognised the fruitful results of co-operation achieved through the Hong Kong-Taiwan Economic and Cultural Co-operation and Promotion Council (ECCPC) and THEC platform in the past three years and agreed to take forward this platform to further promote economic and trade co-operation and cultural exchange between the two places.
Accompanied by the former Chairperson of the THEC, Mr Lin Chen-kuo, Mr Tsang then took the Taiwan High Speed Rail to Taoyuan Station and visited the operations control centre of the station.
A lunch was held after the visit for Mr Tsang to meet with Hong Kong people who are working or studying in Taipei. This enabled Mr Tsang to better understand their work and studies there.
In the afternoon, Mr Tsang, in his capacity as the Honorary Chairperson of the ECCPC, held a meeting with the Governor of the "Central Bank of the Republic of China (Taiwan)", Mr Perng Fai-nan, to discuss the current global economic environment, economic prospects of the region and challenges facing the two places.
This was followed by a meeting with the "Minister of Economic Affairs", Dr Chang Chia-juch. The two sides exchanged views on the changing economic situation in the region and fostering co-operation between Hong Kong and Taiwan.
Between these two meetings, Mr Tsang also took the chance to visit a restaurant in Taipei run by Hong Kong people to see for himself the business environment in the city.
In the evening, Mr Tsang attended a welcome dinner hosted by the Taipei City Mayor, Mr Hau Lung-bin. Also attending were the Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs, Mr Raymond Tam; the Secretary for the Environment, Mr Wong Kam-sing; and the Secretary for Development, Mr Paul Chan.
After his arrival in Taipei in the late afternoon yesterday (June 5), Mr Tsang attended a dinner with Taiwan's business sector.
Tomorrow (June 7), Mr Tsang will attend and speak at the opening ceremony of a Hong Kong-Taipei inter-city forum.
Ends/Thursday, June 6, 2013
Issued at HKT 20:49
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