Chinese vice president wishes Hong Kong bright future

The economic role of the Hong Kong SAR has been getting special attention from Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping as he continued his inspection tour of the region. His visit aimed at forging closer ties between the mainland and Hong Kong.

This is Xi Jinping's first visit to Hong Kong as Vice President, and his visit brings momentum to the Special Administrative Region.

During a welcome banquet hosted by the Hong Kong SAR government, Xi Jinping expressed his best wishes to the people of Hong Kong, and pledged the Central Government's strong and solid support to ensure a bright future for the region.

He said an agreement will be signed between the Ministry of Commerce and the Hong Kong Government to allow the region's service industry into the mainland. This is expected to open a window of opportunity for the region's service industry to flourish.

The Vice President also pledged more support from the Central Government to benefit Hong Kong's development.

Xi Jinping also reported the Central Government's current tasks in rebuilding the quake-stricken areas after the Sichuan earthquake, and promoting social and economic development.