*************************************************
The Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Stephen Lam, began his visit to Chongqing today (January 14). He called on the Party Secretary of Chongqing Municipal Committee, Mr Bo Xilai, in the morning and attended a welcome dinner for the Hong Kong delegation hosted by the Vice Mayor, Mr Liu Xuepu, in the evening.
During their meeting, Mr Lam and Mr Bo exchanged views on enhancing co-operation between Hong Kong and Chongqing.
"Hong Kong is presented with unprecedented opportunities under the National 12th Five-Year Plan. Vice-Premier Li Keqiang has earlier announced a basket of policy measures to support Hong Kong's development as an offshore Renminbi business centre. About 80 percent of the total Renminbi trade settlement of the Mainland is conducted through Hong Kong. Foreign enterprises can also invest in the Mainland through Hong Kong. I hope Chongqing enterprises will make good use of Hong Kong's platform to attract foreign investment and go global," Mr Lam said.
"Chongqing has been progressing well in urban and rural development. There was much room for co-operation between the two places on the professional fronts such as city management, transport infrastructure and construction projects, as well as the provision of public services including housing and medical services. I look forward to officials, experts and industry practitioners of the two places sharing experience and exploring business opportunities through more exchange channels, including seminars," he added.
At the meeting, Mr Bo said that Chongqing is the only municipality directly under the Central Government in western China. With the benefits arising from the latest phase in the development of western China and the Chengdu-Chongqing Economic Zone, the future looks promising for Chongqing. The establishment of Chongqing Liaison Office by the HKSAR Government could further promote exchange and co-operation between the two places in various facets such as rule of law, economic development and people's livelihood.
Besides the meeting, Mr Lam visited the 8th China (Chongqing) International Garden EXPO, which opened in November 2011 and exhibits various types of gardens from different parts of the world. The HKSAR Government has actively participated in the Expo by setting up a "Hong Kong Garden".
At the Chongqing Planning Exhibition Gallery, Mr Lam gained a better understanding of the city's latest developments in urban planning. He also visited Chongqing's traffic and patrol police platform and Chongqing Liaison Office of the HKSAR Government.
In the evening, Mr Lam attended a welcome dinner hosted by the Vice Mayor, Mr Liu Xuepu, for the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region delegation.
Accompanying Mr Lam at various activities were the Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Gregory So; the Permanent Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs, Mr Joshua Law; the Director-General of Trade and Industry, Ms Maria Kwan; and representatives of relevant bureaux and departments.
Mr Lam and the delegation will continue their visit to Chongqing tomorrow. He will officiate at the opening ceremony of Chongqing-Hong Kong Week 2012.
Ends/Saturday, January 14, 2012
Issued at HKT 21:39
NNNN