Hong Kong Financial Secretary Henry Tang will leave the city on Jan. 16 for a duty visit to Beijing, the government said Friday.

During his visit, Tang will call on the People's Bank of China to discuss matters of mutual interest including the newly approvedfurther expansion of renminbi business in Hong Kong.

He will also follow up on issues raised by the Chief Executive during his earlier duty visit to Beijing and will attend the signing ceremony of a supplementary memorandum of co-operation between the People's Bank of China and the Hong Kong Monetary Authority.

Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority Joseph Yam and Hong Kong Permanent Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury (Financial Services) Kevin Ho will accompany Tang to Beijing.

During Tang's absence from Hong Kong, Secretary for Economic Development and Labor Stephen Ip will double up as Financial Secretary.

Tang will return to Hong Kong on January 17.

(Xinhua News Agency January 13, 2007)