Beijing, HK Join Forces for Olympic EconomyPotential business opportunities created by Beijing's "Olympic economy" have created a new platform for the city's intensified cooperation with the southern metropolis of Hong Kong.Sources with the on-going 5th Beijing-Hong Kong Economic Co-operation Symposium said that participants have found common interests in developing the Olympic economy, which include investment projects, human resource training and exchange, commodities circulation and tourism, and should both improve Beijing's image and invigorate Hong Kong's economy. Liu Qi, mayor of Beijing, said that the Olympic economy will create new areas for economic exchanges between Beijing and Hong Kong. With China's bolder opening-up policy, Beijing will open more business sectors to Hong Kong investors. Partly to polish its image as the host of the 2008 Games, Beijing has approved an infrastructure investment of 180 billion yuan, another 30 billion yuan of direct investment for arranging the Olympic Games, and 15 billion yuan for building the venues for various Olympic sports. Pang Kam Chun, chairman of the Chun Wo Holding Ltd, said that Hong Kong is experienced in international financing and providing construction consultation services, which Beijing will need when it starts the mammoth construction for the Games. Besides investment and international channels, Beijing can emulate Hong Kong's success in curbing environmental pollution and unsnagging traffic jams in a densely populated urban area. |
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