28.         Currently, the Government has four offices in the Mainland: in Beijing, Guangdong, Shanghai and Chengdu. To take advantage of the rapid economic development in the Mainland's central region, we propose to set up another Economic and Trade Office (ETO) in Wuhan. We are also looking into the feasibility of setting up liaison offices in various other cities.

29.         Meanwhile, I have requested our Mainland offices to enhance their functions. First, every office will have dedicated staff to strengthen liaison with Hong Kong people and groups in the Mainland, and provide them with information and assistance as far as possible. Second, a new Immigration Division will be set up in the Chengdu ETO, in addition to those in our Beijing Office and the Guangdong ETO. Third, we will step up our efforts in conducting policy research and gathering data related to Hong Kong people in the Mainland to better gauge their situation and service needs. We will also analyse the opportunities and challenges for Hong Kong people arising from national policies. Fourth, to strengthen "homeland relationship", we will enhance communication and publicity targeted at all sectors in the Mainland. In parallel, to provide stronger assistance to Hong Kong people and enterprises in the Mainland, we will study ways to rationalise the working relationships between the offices of the HKSAR Government and those of statutory bodies, including the Hong Kong Trade Development Council and Hong Kong Tourism Board, in the Mainland.

Contents | Next