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The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong-Taiwan Economic and Cultural Co-operation and Promotion Council:
In his capacity as the Honorary Chairperson of the Hong Kong-Taiwan Economic and Cultural Co-operation and Promotion Council (ECCPC), the Financial Secretary, Mr John C Tsang, hosted a luncheon this afternoon(December 17) for the Chairman of the Taiwan-Hong Kong Economic and Cultural Co-operation Council, Mr Lin Chen-kuo, and a delegation of representatives from the economic, trade and cultural sectors of Taiwan who are visiting Hong Kong. Following is the transcript (English portion) of the ECCPC's meet-the-media session after the luncheon attended by the ECCPC Chairman, Mr Charles Lee Yeh-kwong; the Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs, Mr Stephen Lam; the Secretary for Home Affairs, Mr Tsang Tak-sing; and the Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mrs Rita Lau:
Reporter: What will be the new Hong Kong Tourism Board office in Taiwan different from what we have now?
Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development: At the moment, the Hong Kong Tourism Board just has an officer (in its Taipei office). What we are now doing is to upgrade it to be a fully-fledged representational office of the Tourism Board, with a strengthened and enhanced role to promote tourism between Taiwan and Hong Kong. And, as I just said earlier, we are hoping to enhance the relationship in terms of promoting tourism between the two places, the two economies. Having a firmly established office in Taipei, the Tourism Board will be able to do even more promotional work, not confining to Taipei, but in other cities in Taiwan.
Reporter: Mr Lam, since the Hong Kong Tourism Board has already upgraded its office in Taipei, do you think this is a good sign for the proposal to set up a comprehensive office in Taipei and can you brief us on the progress of this proposal?
Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs: You will all recall that back in 2009, the Chief Executive proposed in his Policy Address that the HKSAR Government should positively consider establishing a multi-functional office in Taiwan. As regards this particular proposal, we have been maintaining our dialogue with the Taiwanese authorities and both sides are quite positive about taking this forward. Discussions will have to continue.
(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.)
Ends/Friday, December 17, 2010
Issued at HKT 19:07
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