Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Chief Executive
Donald Tsang and Australian Prime Minister John Howard agreed on
Thursday to augment trade and economic ties between the two
jurisdictions, according to news from the Hong Kong Information
Services Department.
The news said that Tsang held a bilateral meeting with Howard
after attending the APEC 2007 Business Summit in Sydney on
Thursday. They agreed Hong Kong and Australia are important trading
partners and should forge closer ties.
Tsang encouraged Australian companies, particularly small and
medium enterprises, to explore the Chinese mainland market via Hong
Kong. He also updated Howard on Hong Kong's efforts in protecting
the environment and exchanged views on how the global community can
better cope with the climate change.
Tsang will attend the 15th Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation
(APEC) Economic Leaders' Meeting this weekend. Climate change will
be a major topic.
Noting the issue is a worldwide challenge requiring concerted
efforts from all economies, Tsang said that a global vision and
collective determination is needed to develop strategies and
implement mitigating measures to avert or ameliorate the adverse
impact of climate change.
Tsang and other leaders will discuss a wide range of issues
including the prospects for the World Trade Organization (WTO) Doha
Round; regional economic integration; "behind-the-border"
impediments to trade and structural reform; revitalizing APEC's
process and institutions; APEC membership and reform; climate
change, energy security and clean development; and human
security.
(Xinhua News Agency September 7, 2007)
