Beijing, Hong Kong establish mechanism to foster closer ties

Beijing and Hong Kong agreed to set up a top-level official mechanism to promote greater cooperation in trade, human resources and the 2008 Olympics-related activities. The announcement was made after Beijing Party Secretary Liu Qi and Beijing Mayor Wang Qishan met with Hong Kong Chief Executive Tung Chee-hwa at a symposium on Beijing-Hong Kong ties. The Beijing-Hong Kong Economic and Trade Co-operation �Conference� will involve regular top-level exchanges and be under the leadership of the chief executives of both cities, which Tung called the two most important in China.