In hailing the strong recovery of the Hong Kong economy in the first half, Guangdong Party chief Zhang Dejiang attributed

the success both to the support of the central government and the leadership of the SAR administration.

　 He made the remark as he met with Chief Executive Tung Chee-hwa in Guangzhou yesterday (Aug. 3). Tung was in the

provincial capital to attend the Seventh Plenary of the Hong Kong-Guangdong Co-operation Joint Conference, which opens today

(Aug. 4).

　 The economies of Hong Kong and Guangdong have become increasingly integrated with each other. "If Hong Kong prospers,

surely will Guangdong; and vice versa," he said.

He said that he had read a lot of good news about Hong Kong's economy, characterized by high growth levels and a declining

jobless rate.

　 He was "extremely happy" about the sound development of the Hong Kong economy.

The number of visitors to Hong Kong exceeded 10 million in the first half, and is expected to surpass 20 million for the

whole year. The hotel occupation rate has risen to more than 80 per cent from 50 per cent. "This is really encouraging,"

Zhang said.

　 Guangdong Governor Huang Huahua, while meeting Tung, revealed that "there will be good news" at the joint conference.

Tung said that the successful implementation of the Pan-Pearl River Delta economic co-operation mechanism depends on the

efforts of Hong Kong and Guangdong. Also called "9+2", the arrangement encompasses nine mainland provinces aside from Hong

Kong and Macao.

　 Tung said Hong Kong's economy has benefited a lot from the Individual Travellers Scheme, which allows mainlanders to

visit Hong Kong without joining tour groups.

　 "Eighty-eight per cent of individual travellers come from Guangdong. They are vital to Hong Kong," Tung noted.

(China daily)