A33-strong delegation from the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, led by the central government's top foreign affairs official in the SAR, ended a five-day visit to Sichuan province on April 12 aimed at boosting economic ties and exploring the investment climate in the southwestern province.

The team, headed by Xie Feng, commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China in the HKSAR, included representatives of foreign consular missions and business chambers, as well as media professionals from the SAR. Its mission was to strengthen communication, understanding and cooperation with Sichuan.

Xie said the central government is willing to further promote tripartite cooperation among the Chinese mainland, Hong Kong and foreign countries.

"China attaches great importance to international cooperation. My office will continue to offer maximum support to facilitate communication between foreign enterprises and organizations in Hong Kong and the mainland authorities and business communities," he said.

Among the business leaders in the delegation was Jack Lange, chairman of the American Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong - one of the largest American chambers outside the United States and the largest international chamber in Hong Kong.

Members of the delegation were upbeat about the business prospects in Chengdu, particularly the opportunities offered by the Tianfu New Area, saying they were very impressed by the rapid and wide-ranging economic development that has taken place on the mainland.

yinzeli@chinadailyhk.com

Xie Feng (fourth right), commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China in the HKSAR, joins delegation members for a group photo in front of the Leshan Giant Buddha in Leshan, Sichuan province, on April 11. The 71-meter-high Buddha statue, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1996, is carved into a cliff and overlooks three converging rivers. It was built over a 90-year period starting in the year 713 during the Tang Dynasty (618-907). Photos by Li Yinze / China Daily

Peng Qinghua (right), secretary of the Sichuan Provincial Committee of the Communist Party of China, meets with the delegation on April 8. Peng described the visit as a good opportunity for deepening exchanges and expanding cooperation in trade, technology, education, culture, art, tourism, finance and other areas with relevant parties.

The delegation visit Sanxingdui Museum, located by the banks of the Yazi River in Guanghan city, where eye-catching cultural relics from the ancient state of Shu and dating back some 3,000 years ago, are showcased. The Sanxingdui Ruins site welcomes about 800,000 visitors from home and abroad each year.

A member the delegation poses in front of the statue of Su Dongpo, originally known as Su Shi - one of the major poets of the Song Dynasty (960-1127).

(HK Edition 04/17/2018 page10)