Budget Speech

Exchanges and Co-operation with Taiwan

68.      On the development of Hong Kong-Taiwan relations, I led a delegation to Taiwan last August in my capacity as the Honorary Chairperson of the Hong Kong-Taiwan Economic and Cultural Co-operation and Promotion Council. We met with representatives of the political, business and cultural sectors, and reached initial consensus with the Taiwan authorities on various priority areas for co-operation between both sides.

69.      On the premise of promoting the economic development of Hong Kong and Taiwan to our mutual benefit, we are actively discussing with Taiwan about ways to promote financial regulatory co-operation, update air services arrangements and avoid double taxation on shipping income. We plan to set up a multi-functional office in Taipei and are now working with the Taiwanese side on the relevant details for early implementation of this proposal. Separately, the Hong Kong Tourism Board is now going through the relevant procedures for establishing its office in Taipei, which are expected to be completed shortly.

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