Financial Secretary Paul Chan was in Shanghai today to promote co-operation between the city and Hong Kong.

He visited Innospace+, an entrepreneurship community and incubating platform which supports companies in financing, manpower resources, training and exchange, and marketing.

Hundreds of companies, startups, and research and development centres for multinational firms operate in Innospace+.

He then had lunch with Standing Committee Member of the Shanghai Committee of the Chinese Communist Party and Head of the United Front Work Department of the committee Zheng Gangmiao.

He also met Vice Mayor of the Shanghai Municipal Government Xu Kunlin.

Mr Chan then addressed the Ninth Shanghai-Hong Kong Metropolitan Development Seminar where he said Shanghai is the core of the world-class city cluster in the Yangtze River Delta area.

He called the city an international centre of economic affairs, finance, trade, shipping, and scientific and technologic innovation as well as a cultural metropolis.

He said Hong Kong will use its unique advantages as an international financial, transportation and trade centre, and strengthen its offshore renminbi business and professional services.

Mr Chan added he looks forward to closer co-operation between Hong Kong and Shanghai in various areas, and to see both cities contribute to the nation's development.

Yesterday Mr Chan visited Shanghai Disney Resort and attended a dinner hosted by the West Kowloon Cultural District Authority.

He will return to Hong Kong tonight.