HK legislators start historic mainland visit
By Tonny Chan (China Daily)
Updated: 2005-09-26 05:29

GUANGZHOU: Hong Kong Chief Executive Donald Tsang yesterday hailed the discussions between the SAR's Legislative Council (LegCo) members and Guangdong Party Secretary Zhang Dejiang as "frank and candid."

Hong Kong Chief Executive Donald Tsang (R) and HK legislators visit an exhibition center in Dongguan, South China's Guangdong Province September 25, 2005. [Xinhua]

"It was a very frank and candid exchange. I think this is a very good start," Tsang told a press conference after the meeting.

Legislators from Hong Kong yesterday arrived in Guangdong to open a "historic chapter" in the SAR's history.

It is the first time that all LegCo members including those from the "pro-democracy" camp have been invited to visit the mainland.

They visited Shenzhen, Dongguan and Guangzhou yesterday, and are scheduled to continue the tour with more activities in the provincial capital today before visiting Zhongshan.

"What is important is what we have seen and who we have met, particularly for those members who have not been here for over a decade to see the development in the Pearl River Delta region," Tsang said.

At the start of his meeting with the lawmakers, Zhang said it could not be emphasized enough that Hong Kong's interests are inseparable from Guangdong's.

Governor Huang Huahua was also at the meeting, briefing the lawmakers on the province's latest developments and co-operation with the SAR.

A spokesman for the provincial government said at a press conference afterwards that issues discussed included environmental pollution, food safety, and concerns over how Hong Kong professionals could enter the mainland market more easily.