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Gary Cheung

A top mainland trade official has praised Chief Executive Tung Chee-hwa's efforts to preserve prosperity and stability in Hong Kong.

Speaking before a meeting with Mr Tung in Beijing yesterday, Minister of Commerce Bo Xilai  said his ministry would continue to support Hong Kong's economic development.

Mr Bo, the former governor of Liaoning province, said the chief executive had done plenty of work to preserve Hong Kong's prosperity and stability.

'Mr Tung's works have been very successful and many colleagues on the mainland have been deeply impressed,' said Mr Bo, who took up his  post on Sunday.

The minister said the central government had attached great importance to implementing the Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement (Cepa) between the mainland and Hong Kong.

'Our ministry will do our utmost to implement Cepa,' Mr Bo said. 'We will continue to support the economic development of Hong Kong resolutely.'

Mr Bo also said the central government backed many of Mr Tung's ideas for  Hong Kong. Mr Tung, who attended the opening ceremony of the NPC,  said Cepa was vital for  Hong Kong's future.

Mr Bo recalled his experience of tasting food cooked by Betty Tung Chiu Hung-ping,  the chief executive's wife, during a visit to Hong Kong. 'The dishes were  delicious and I was  impressed,' he said.

The individual tourist scheme may be expanded to another eight or nine cities outside Guangdong  this year, said Gao Siren, director of  the central government's liaison office. The cities are in the wealthy eastern provinces of Jiangsu, Fujian and Zhejiang.

The scheme, which exempts residents of qualifying cities from the requirement they join an official tour to Hong Kong, is likely to be extended to another 21 cities in Guangdong in May.

Additional reporting by Jimmy Cheung



New minister impressed with Tung's efforts, and Betty's cooking