Japanese Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori and visiting Hong Kong Chief Executive Tung Chee-hwa agreed Thursday to promote bilateral exchanges in economic, cultural and academic fields between Japan and the Chinese special administration region.
The two leaders reached the agreement during a meeting at the Japanese prime minister's official residence in Tokyo.
Tung explained to Mori that the Hong Kong economy is making a steady recovery from the effects of the 1997-1998 Asian financial crisis, asking for Japan's cooperation in having Japanese businesses come to Hong Kong and promoting cultural and student exchanges.
The chief executive also stressed that the importance of Hong Kong is expected to grow following China's admission into the World Trade Organization (WTO).
Mori told Tung that Japan's relationship with Hong Kong is going well in the fields of trade and investment, expressing the hope that it will become even better after Tung's visit to Japan.
Tung arrived in Japan on Tuesday for a four-day visit to boost ties with Japanese political and business leaders.
In a meeting held on Wednesday, Tung and Japanese Foreign Minister Yohei Kono agreed to continue to exchange views on the pending launch of a new round of multilateral trade liberalization talks under the WTO.
(People’s Daily 02/23/2001)
