Asia's world city: Chief Executive Tung Chee Hwa updates Guangdong Provincial Party Committee Secretary Zhang Dejiang on the city's logistics development.

Hong Kong's role in the Pan-Pearl River Delta regional co-operation and development is growing and the city's position as a financial, logistics and information hub cannot be replaced, Guangdong Provincial Party Committee Secretary Zhang Dejiang says.

Mr Zhang, who is also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, arrived in Hong Kong today to open the first Pan-Pearl River Delta Regional Co-operation & Development Forum tomorrow.

Accompanied by the Chief Executive Tung Chee Hwa, Mr Zhang visited the Hong Kong Exchanges & Clearing Limited and the Tsing Ma Bridge in the morning.

Speaking to the media after attending a seminar for the business sector in the afternoon, Mr Zhang said Hong Kong will play a key role in the region with its advantages.

He called on Hong Kong people to capitalise on its advantages so as to boost the economy and improve people's livelihood. Further promotion of the regional co-operation will also benefit the city.

In the evening, Mr Zhang attended a reception the Chief Executive hosted for forum delegates.

Forum brings Hong Kong new opportunities

Chief Executive Tung Chee Hwa said tomorrow's forum will open up new opportunities and developments for Hong Kong.

He said Hong Kong was chosen to host the opening of the forum, reflecting the Central Authorities' support and the importance they attach to Hong Kong.

The forum also marked a good start for the city, he added.

The theme of the forum is "Prosperity through Partnership". On June 2, the forum will move to Macau. It will close in Guangzhou on June 3.

The PPRD region, which is also known as "9+2", involves nine provinces - Fujian, Jiangxi, Hunan, Guangdong, Guangxi, Hainan, Sichuan, Guizhou, Yunnan as well as the Hong Kong and Macau special administrative regions.