Hong Kong will play a more important role in the cooperation among the Pan-Pearl River Delta, and in the building of an all-around well-off society undertaken by the Chinese mainland, said Zhang Dejiang, member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee in Hong Kong Monday.

Zhang, also secretary of the Guangdong provincial committee of the CPC, who came to Hong Kong Monday, will attend Tuesday's opening ceremony of the Pan-Pearl River Delta Regional Co-operation and Development Forum, at the invitation of Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Tung Chee Hwa.

Zhang said he has great confidence in Hong Kong's future and Hong Kong's role as a regional financial, shipping and information center is irreplaceable.

During the day, Zhang visited the Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited (HKEx), Tsing Ma Bridge, the University of Hong Kong, and the world's largest container port in Kwai Chung.

At the HKEx, Zhang listened to the briefing by the Financial Secretary of the HKSAR government Henry Tang. Zhang said that Hong Kong will continue to play its role as a regional financial center, as the HKEx strictly observes relevant trading rules, enjoys large quantity of exchange volume and has a bright future.

During his visit to the container port, Zhang pointed out that the development of Hong Kong's shipping industry serves as an impetus to the economic growth of the Chinese mainland.

Addressing a forum attended by representatives from Hong Kong industry and commercial community, Zhang said the central government firmly supports the proposal on forming the pan-Pearl River Delta Region. With the rapid economic development of the Chinese mainland, Hong Kong's role will be more and more important.

Zhang hoped that Hong Kong will seek the opportunity brought about by the pan-Pearl River Delta cooperation to enhance its economy and improve the livelihood of Hong Kong people.

Pan-Pearl River Delta Region includes provinces of Guangdong, Hainan, Guizhou, Jiangxi, Yunnan, Sichuan, Hunan and Fujian and Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous region, as well as Hong Kong and Macao.

(Xinhua News Agency June 1, 2004)