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The Chief Executive, Mr Donald Tsang, today (November 21) led a delegation of government officials and local business leaders to Guizhou for a three-day study tour of the province.
The delegation comprises 114 representatives of 110 enterprises from various sectors, including tourism, Chinese medicine, food processing, logistics, legal and financial services, accounting and infrastructure.
Other government officials joining the visit include the Secretary for Commerce, Industry and Technology, Mr Joseph Wong; Secretary for Economic Development and Labour, Mr Stephen Ip; and the Permanent Secretary for Constitutional Affairs, Mrs Cherry Tse.
Mr Tsang and the delegation arrived at the Guiyang Airport in the morning and were received by the Guizhou Vice Governor, Mr Sun Guoqiang.
The group then immediately headed for the Jinyang District, a major infrastructural project in Guizhou Province. They were briefed on the latest developments and future plans for the province and its capital while viewing the district model and display panels.
In the afternoon, the delegation visited two enterprises in Guiyang. At the first stop, Xinbang Pharmaceutical Co Ltd, they toured the production plant to gain a better understanding of the manufacturing of proprietary Chinese medicine. They also noted the rapid and strong development of the industry, which was one of the pillars of Guizhou's economy.
The second enterprise was Aluminium Corporation of China Co Ltd (Guizhou Branch), which was the largest of its nine sub-offices on the Mainland. It showcased the enormous potential for the development of heavy industries in Guizhou with its rich resources of heavy metals.
In the evening, the Chief Executive and the delegation met with provincial leaders including Guizhou Communist Party Secretary, Mr Shi Zongyuan; and acting Guizhou Governor, Mr Lin Shusen, and then attended a welcoming dinner hosted by the Guizhou Provincial Government.
Both parties said they hoped the study tour would spark a fresh impetus for business and economic co-operation between the two places, which would be mutually beneficial and in turn contribute to the economic development of the Pan Pearl River Delta and the country as a whole.
The delegation will take part in the Hong Kong-Guizhou Business Co-operation Symposium and visit Anshun City tomorrow.
Ends/Tuesday, November 21, 2006
Issued at HKT 21:22
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