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The Financial Secretary, Mr Henry Tang, called on the leader of the opposition, Dr Don Brash, in Wellington this morning (May 24, New Zealand time). They exchanged views on the fiscal health of Hong Kong and New Zealand and other opportunities and challenges shared by the two economies.
On the last day of his official visit to New Zealand, Mr Tang attended a luncheon meeting hosted by Dr Alan Bollard, Governor of the Reserve Bank of New Zealand.
Mr Tang explained to the senior management of New Zealand's central bank that Hong Kong's economy had returned to a solid growth path with an impressive GDP growth of 8.2% in the first quarter of 2006.
The Financial Secretary left Wellington this afternoon for Melbourne, where he starts the Australian leg of his 10-day visit to Australasia.
In Melbourne tomorrow, Mr Tang will call on political leaders in both the administration and opposition in the state of Victoria.
He will also call on the Lord Mayor of Melbourne, the Right Honourable John So and attend a boardroom luncheon hosted by the Lord Mayor.
The Financial Secretary will then speak to a group of about 100 Hong Kong students at a meet-the-students session before attending a dinner organised by the Asia Society AustralAsia Centre. Mr Tang will deliver the keynote address at the dinner.
Ends/Wednesday, May 24, 2006
Issued at HKT 17:05
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