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Hong Kong Financial Secretary John C. Tsang addresses the forum, held to explore economic cooperation and development among the Mainland, Taiwan and Hong Kong. |
Hong Kong should not worry about the implementation of “Three Links,” (direct postal, transportation and trade links between mainland China and Taiwan) which, in fact, would bring new momentum and opportunities to the economic development of the Mainland, Taiwan and Hong Kong, said Hong Kong Financial Secretary John C. Tsang.
Delivering welcoming remarks at an October 29 forum held by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government (HKSARG) to explore the economic cooperation and development among the Mainland, Taiwan and Hong Kong, Mr. Tsang said Hong Kong plays a pivotal role in the economic and trade exchanges between the Mainland and Taiwan.
“Hong Kong is the major port of interchange for both passengers and trades between the Mainland and Taiwan,” said Mr. Tsang. “Amid the improving cross-strait economic and trade development over recent years, the value of merchandise trade using Hong Kong as the key port of interchange between the Mainland and Taiwan still recorded an annual average growth of 15% between 2002 and 2007. This represented a share growth of 6.5% in 2007 in Hong Kong’s overall foreign trade, compared with5.6% in 2002.”
Stressing that Hong Kong’s status would not be affected by the implementation of “Three Links,” Mr. Tsang said, “From the regional perspectives, such development will bring better cost-effectiveness, more efficient resource allocation and better development of our advantages. This will reinforce our economic momentum, bringing new challenges and opportunities to the three places.
“The Chief Executive mentioned in this year’s Policy Address that we should take note of the latest overall economic development and strategic changes among the Mainland, Taiwan and Hong Kong in the light of the new cross-strait relations,” he added.
Mr. Tsang said the economic forum was a launchpad for the HKSARG to explore further economic cooperation among the three places to develop long-term opportunities and challenges ahead. This will lead to more exchanges, which will deepen economic cooperation, bringing the economic development to a new and broader platform.
On the global financial turmoil, Mr. Tsang appealed for closer and deeper economic cooperation among the Mainland, Taiwan and Hong Kong to strengthen their ability to face these difficulties, thus turning challenges into opportunities. This would also be beneficial in sustaining steady economic development.
The forum was organized by the Economic Analysis and Business Facilitation Unit of the Financial Secretary’s Office. The event was the first of its kind held by the HKSARG, which aims to deepen understanding among the three regions, find a direction for further cooperation and cultivate potential growth momentum.
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