Special supplement: Distant cousins linked by closer investment ties

Guests and delegates expressed their appreciation at the opening ceremony on Tuesday of the Heilongjiang investment and trade fair in Hong Kong, noting the cultural industry promotion from China's northernmost province highlights new common ground between the distant cousins.

The histories of Heilongjiang and Hong Kong actually have similarities - their contacts with foreign cultures, said Pan Chunliang, head of foreign communication department of Heilongjiang.

"I'm impressed that Hong Kong people have good understanding of our province, and this wonderful fair brings a new insight into Heilongjiang's cultural industries," said Pan.