Top political adviser Jia Qinglin begins his three-day Hong Kong visit today, which is expected to launch a series of measures to boost local economic development.

Jia, chairman of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), will attend the third anniversary of the Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement (CEPA), a free trade pact within China issued by Premier Wen Jiabao in 2003.

Jia will also officiate at the opening ceremony of the Mainland, Hong Kong and Macao Trade and Economic Cooperation Forum on Thursday, and deliver a keynote speech.

Jia's itinerary includes tours of key financial institutions and infrastructure projects.

Liao Xiaoqi, vice-minister of commerce, told reporters earlier in Beijing that his ministry aims to further enrich the contents of the CEPA.

Liao said that further cooperation between the mainland and special administrative regions is expected to lead to breakthroughs in areas such as intellectual property rights protection, energy conservation and environmental protection.

He noted that an important feature of the CEPA is cooperation in the Pan-Pearl River Delta area. According to Hong Kong media, the third complementary agreements of CEPA are expected to be signed during Jia's visit.

It is reported that under the third phase of the CEPA, Hong Kong and Macao businesses in the legal sector, tourism, architectural services, telecommunications, banking and transport industries will be allowed to establish operations on the mainland.

Observers noted that Jia's Hong Kong visit, his first after becoming a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, is of great significance and highlights the emphasis and support that the central government provides to Hong Kong.

CEPA has operated smoothly since its launch in January 2004 and two complementary agreements have been signed since then.

(China Daily June 27, 2006)