Friendly exchange: Chief Executive Donald Tsang said the legislators' meeting with Party Secretary Zhang Dejiang was frank and candid.

Legislators had a frank and candid exchange during a meeting with Party Secretary Zhang Dejiang, Chief Executive Donald Tsang says.

Talking to the media tonight to round up the legislators' first day of a visit to Guangdong, Mr Tsang said Mr Zhang has stated clearly his own position and the country's position on highly sensitive issues. There was mutual respect shown during the meeting, he added.

"I don't describe it as tense at all. It wasn't tense. It was a very friendly exchange. We did not avoid any questions," he said.

"We covered all fronts, sensitive ones and also developmental issues which are very important to Hong Kong and to our nation as a whole. And I am sure it is a very good start," he stressed.

Mr Tsang also pointed out what is more important is not those discussions but rather what the delegation has seen and whom they have met, particularly for those members who have not visited the Mainland for over a decade.

They have seen developments which have taken place in the whole Pearl River Delta, on the economic front, and hopefully in the education and social fronts tomorrow, he said.

Enhaning communications

When the delegation embarked on the historic journey on Sunday mornning, Mr Tsang said it would enable lawmakers to have a better understanding of the developments in Guangdong and to enhance their communications with the Mainland authorities to build mutual trust.

The visit can set a good foundation for future discussions on matters of mutual concerns, he said.

As the Hong Kong-Guangdong relationship grows closer, there is a need to enhance mutual understanding and exchanges.

The delegation will visit different areas in the delta region, to see infrastructure, education and community building. He hoped it would benefit lawmakers in considering related developments in Hong Kong in future.

The two-day trip will include visits to financial, industrial, infrastructural and community facilities in Shenzhen, Dongguan, Guangzhou and Zhongshan, meeting government leaders and attending luncheons and dinners.

Shenzhen's development 'a miracle'

Addressing the luncheon hosted by Shenzhen government leaders, Mr Tsang said was understandable for Shenzhen to have been the first stop. It is not only Hong Kong's neighbour, but also its development is the most remarkable within the delta region.

He described Shenzhen's success in the past 25 years as a miracle, and apart from efforts made by Shenzhen and Mainland people, Hong Kong also has played a part in its growth.

Mr Tsang said the miracle is equally important to Hong Kong, adding both places should more actively and broadly cooperate in future, along the road to long-term mutual benefits.

He added this visit has support from the Central Government, Guangdong and the four cities, and it has been positively evaluated in Hong Kong, indicating it is already half-way to success.

First group visit for lawmakers

At Mr Tsang's invitation, this is the first time all legislators have been invited to the Mainland as a group.