HONG KONG, May 6 -- Chief Executive of China's Hong Kong Special Adminstrative Region Leung Chun-ying started his official visit to Boston with tours to top-notched research institutions to see the latest development of innovation and technology in the United States, the news website of the Hong Kong government said Wednesday.

Leading a delegation comprising government officials, industry leaders and academics from the innovation and technology sector, Leung has visited the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Media Lab which is devoted to projects at the convergence of technology, multimedia, sciences, art and design.

Leung has also met Provost of MIT Martin Schmidt and senior faculty members with Hong Kong connections to exchange views on how to enhance the co-operation between Hong Kong and Boston in the innovation and technology sector.

Leung has visited the Harvard Stem Cell Institute (HSCI), and toured the labs at HSCI to learn more about their field of research including regenerative medicine.

He has also met Marshal of Harvard University Jackie O'Neill, and exchanged views on promoting cooperation among industry, academic and research sectors to boost innovation and technology.

Leung has addressed a luncheon organized by the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, New York, where he met with representatives of Boston business chambers and local leaders.

He said Hong Kong's information and communications technology infrastructure and the liberalized telecommunications market open up a wealth of opportunity for e-commerce, wireless/mobile, digital-content creation and service, cloud computing, and much more.

"I invite you to build your businesses, and start your start- ups in Hong Kong, where the future is already up and running," Leung said.

He will depart Boston and return to Hong Kong on Thursday.