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HK's Administrative Secretary Meets New Zealand PM
Anson Chan, administrative secretary of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), had a series of meetings with New Zealand's Prime Minister Helen Clark and other politicians during her visit to Wellington on Wednesday, according to a government press release.
The prime minister noted Hong Kong's economic recovery and developments in other areas. Both sides exchanged views on matters of mutual concern and in enhancing links between the two places.
Speaking to the New Zealand media after her meeting with the prime minister, Chan said: "I think, like the prime minister, we would like to see better progress with the next round of multilateral trade negotiations."
"In the meantime, we have agreed to have exploratory talks on the possible parameters of a free trade agreement with New Zealand," said Chan.
Chan updated the guests on how Hong Kong had fared since the reunification three years ago and the initiatives that had been put in place for a sustainable recovery.
She assured them that Hong Kong remained strong and free after its handover in 1997, adding that Hong Kong offered significant new business opportunities for New Zealand, both in its own right as a vibrant economy, and as a gateway to the enormous prospects that were emerging from China's entry into the WTO.
Chan will fly to Christchurch on Thursday.
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