John Tsang, Hong Kong financial secretary, opened the Hong Kong Economic, Trade and Culture Office May 15 in Taipei City.
Tsang, who is in Taiwan for a three-day visit as honorary chairman of the Hong Kong-Taiwan Economic and Cultural Cooperation and Promotion Council (ECCPC), said the office represents a new stage in bilateral relations.
“Ties between Taiwan and Hong Kong have developed rapidly in recent years,” Tsang said in a statement.
Since establishing the ECCPC and its Taiwan counterpart the Taiwan-Hong Kong Economic and Cultural Cooperation Council (THEC) in 2010, Tseng said both sides have made significant headway in promoting economic and cultural exchanges, renewing air traffic arrangements, strengthening cooperation on financial surveillance and bringing convenience to cargo operations.
“Following the launch of the HKETCO, communication between public and private sectors will be even smoother,” Tsang added.
John Leung, director of the HKETCO, said the office, along with the THEC and ECCPC, will help promote bilateral cooperation and exchanges on culture, education, health and tourism.
During his trip to Taiwan, Tsang will meet with ROC Mainland Affairs Council Minister Lai Shin-yuan, THEC Chairman Lin Chen-kuo and representatives of the local financial sector. (HZW)
Write Grace Kuo at morningk@mail.gio.gov.tw