Informal exchange: Chief Secretary for Administration Henry Tang has a breakfast meeting with European Commissioner for Trade Peter Mandelson in Brussels.

Chief Secretary for Administration Henry Tang has started his visit to Europe, working to secure closer ties between Hong Kong and the European Union and Belgium.

At meetings with political and business leaders from the EU and Belgium today Mr Tang called for more bilateral economic, social and cultural exchange. He met with leaders from the European Parliament-Hong Kong Friendship Group and the European Parliament's Delegation for Relations with the People's Republic of China. He briefed them on Hong Kong's latest developments and they exchanged views on its economic and constitutional development, as well as preparations for the 2008 Olympic Equestrian Events.

The European Parliament said it is pleased to learn the One Country, Two Systems formula has been successfully implemented in Hong Kong, with the city remaining a free and open society under the rule of law with a high degree of autonomy.

Clear timetable

Mr Tang added: "They also understand we now have a clear timetable on universal suffrage and we are discussing the introduction of more democratic elements into the elections in 2012, to pave the way forward for attaining universal suffrage for the election of the Chief Executive in 2017 and the Legislative Council in 2020."

Mr Tang told European Commissioner for Trade Peter Mandelson Hong Kong will play an active role in the multilateral trade liberalisation process. He also updated Belgian officials on Hong Kong's latest developments. He said both sides look forward to more exchanges and co-operation in trade and investment, and culture and education.

At a gala dinner co-organised by the Belgium-Hong Kong Society and the Hong Kong Economic & Trade Office in Brussels, Mr Tang said Hong Kong and Belgium play an indispensable role in Sino-European economic and trade co-operation. He said there is no better time to invest, to look for business opportunities and to visit Hong Kong.

Reliable platform

Mr Tang said: "What we are aiming for is economic development that is sustainable and benefits the entire Hong Kong community. Achieving this aim depends on our ability to continue providing a reliable, cost-effective and business-friendly platform for trade to and from the Mainland. Today more than 6,400 overseas and Mainland companies have a presence in Hong Kong. That includes 1,650 firms of EU origin. There is plenty of room for more companies to join them and we will continue to work hard to provide the best business environment."

Mr Tang will meet Belgian Minister of Foreign Affairs Karel De Gucht and open the fifth Hong Kong Film Panorama in Antwerp on May 8. This year 12 Hong Kong films have been selected for screening in Europe. Antwerp is the first stop and the panorama will be moving to Amsterdam in June.

On May 9 Mr Tang will head to Milan, the second leg of his European visit.