Regional forum for customs officials
Hong Kong customs officials will organise a pan-Pearl River Delta customs forum and regional commissioners' joint conference next year at which customs chiefs from the nine provinces in the delta area, Hong Kong and Macau will exchange views on customs clearance. Arrangements will be made for them to meet business people to explore trade and investment opportunities. The conference, in the second quarter of next year, was revealed when Chief Executive Donald Tsang Yam-kuen visited the Customs and Excise Department yesterday, where he gave the proposal his backing. Promoting trade and fostering closer co-operation on customs clearance between Hong Kong and the region could help strengthen the city's position as a premier international transport hub, further promoting trade development, Mr Tsang said.
HK a city of opportunity, Australians told
Hong Kong would continue to build on its strengths in finance, trade and transport, and could offer significant business opportunities for Australian companies, the Secretary for Commerce, Industry and Technology Joseph Wong Wing-ping said. Mr Wong made the comment during meetings with senior Australian government officials and politicians in Sydney. He said Australia had a close relationship with Hong Kong, and also had a lot in common on trade, cultural and human issues. Australian businessmen could use Hong Kong as a gateway to the burgeoning mainland market.
66pc back Tsang for second term, says poll
Chief Executive Donald Tsang Yam-kuen has the support of 66 per cent of Hong Kong to run for a second term, while 7.5 per cent are opposed, a Lingnan University survey has found. The telephone poll, which interviewed 800 people, found that if former chief secretary Anson Chan Fang On-sang and former security chief Regina Ip Lau Suk-yee also ran for the office, Mr Tsang could win 50 per cent support, Mrs Chan 20 per cent and Mrs Ip 6 per cent.
