On his first official visit to Hong Kong, Shenzhen Mayor Li Hongzhong told Chief Executive Tung Chee-hwa last night that his trip was 'the start of a heavyweight drama'. Mr Li dined with Mr Tung and senior officials at Government House. His 22-person delegation arrived in the afternoon. During the four-day visit, Mr Li is expected to sign agreements on further co-operation with Hong Kong in areas including tourism, logistics, finance and infrastructure. In a speech at the dinner, he said: 'Nothing could replace the close ties between Hong Kong and Shenzhen. Without Hong Kong, there is no Shenzhen. 'We have built a good foundation for co-operation and the prospects are very bright.' Mr Tung echoed the comments, saying further co-operation would unleash the two cities' potential. 'If Hong Kong and Shenzhen co-operate, we can deliver much more,' the chief executive said. Mr Li will meet Chief Secretary Donald Tsang Yam-kuen this morning to discuss how to foster closer economic ties. Members of think-tanks from both governments met two weeks ago to brainstorm proposals for co-operation. Various such proposals were floated in mainland-backed local media in the two days before Mr Li's arrival. They include turning a 100-hectare border zone at Lok Ma Chau into a free-trade zone.
