Hong Kong was last night linked to a possible bid by China for the 2008 Olympics.
A senior mainland sports official said Macau and Guangzhou would also figure in the southern China bid.
Newly appointed Chinese Olympic Committee secretary-general Tu Mingde said Hong Kong was now the mainland's 'window to the rest of the world'.
Speaking at a dinner to celebrate Hong Kong cyclist Wong Kam-po's National Games gold medal, Mr Tu said: 'Hong Kong is now part of the family.
'Macau will re-unify with us in 1999, They will then become part of the family as well.
'If Japan and South Korea, who are two different countries, can co-host the soccer World Cup, then it's possible for Guangzhou, Hong Kong and Macau - all within Guangdong province, to bid for the 2008 Games.' His comments came just a few days after International Olympic Committee president Juan Antonio Samaranch, in Shanghai to witness the National Games, urged a mainland bid for 2008.
'So far we have not been officially informed by Guangzhou that they are interested in bidding for the 2008 Games,' Mr Tu added.