Vice President Zeng Qinghong said yesterday that Hong Kong and
Macao can play a valuable role in the country’s master plan for the
development of the northeastern provinces.
“Prospects for mainland-Hong Kong cooperation will be bright,”
he said. Zeng was speaking at a reception for a high-profile joint
delegation from the two special administrative regions. The group
will tour the northeast--the base of heavy industry--in the next
seven days to look for investment opportunities.
A number of other senior central government officials were also
present at the reception, including State Councilor Tang Jiaxuan;
Director of the State Council’s Hong Kong and Macao Office Liao
Hui; Head of the United Front Work Department Liu Yandong; and Vice
Minister for Commerce An Min.
Led by Liao, the delegation comprises more than 50 members, all
leading business people and professionals of the two SARs. Many are
the chairpersons or chief executives of listed companies in Hong
Kong.
Zeng, who is also in charge of Hong Kong and Macao affairs, told
the delegates that economic development would continue to top the
agenda of the SARs and the mainland.
He said the country would spare no effort in developing the
region’s economy during the next 20 years, and called on business
leaders in Hong Kong and Macao to seize the opportunities.
Upon their arrival in Beijing, Hong Kong Financial Secretary
Henry Tang noted that Hong Kong has the biggest investment in the
northeast region of all non-mainland investors.
Although Hong Kong does not have much heavy industry, which is
the key feature of the northeast region, it is not short of
knowledgeable investors in businesses such as aluminum and auto
making, Tang said.
“Through this tour, members of the delegation will be able to
understand better the local investment environment and get
acquainted with mainland officials. This understanding and these
connections will be valuable in helping them make business
decisions in the future,” he said.
He said the Hong Kong government would continue to play the role
of a facilitator and let the market be driven by market
players.
Casino mogul Stanley Ho said he came with a serious interest in
investing in the region. Reports indicate that he hopes to
establish HK$1-billion entertainment empire in Harbin, capital of
Heilongjiang
Province.
The delegation will visit 11 enterprises, including car
manufacturers, machine makers and pharmaceutical plants in the
region.
(China Daily June 7, 2004)