People-based project: Chief Executive Donald Tsang says the Tamar project will proceed according to people's wishes, adding dialogue with the public and lawmakers will continue.

Chief Executive Donald Tsang hopes the individual visit scheme can be extended to six more cities in the Pan-Pearl River Delta Region, bringing an additional 20 million Mainland tourists to Hong Kong.

Speaking to the media in Beijing tonight, Mr Tsang said he has spoken with National Tourism Administration Director Shao Qiwei on the idea, which will bring the number of Mainland cities covered under the scheme to 44.

During the meeting with Information Technology Minister Wang Xudong, Mr Tsang suggested a further opening up of telecoms services in the region. He also briefed Mr Wang on the preparations for ITU Telecom World 2006 to be held in Hong Kong this December. It is expected to draw more than 60,000 visitors to the city, reaping considerable economic benefits.

Five-year plan encouraging

Noting the Mainland's 11th Five-year Plan proposes supporting the development of Hong Kong's pillar industries and maintaining the city's role as an international centre, which Mr Tsang said is encouraging.

Backed by the Mainland's robust economic growth and the Central Government's staunch support, Hong Kong's economy has picked up quickly in the past two years. While the global economy still faces a number of uncertainties, Mr Tsang said with people's growing confidence in investment and spending as well as the Mainland's strong economic growth, he is optimistic about Hong Kong's economic outlook.

During the Beijing visit, Mr Tsang will meet with ministers and provincial leaders to explore opportunities for co-operation. Meetings with Pan-Pearl River Delta Region leaders will start tomorrow. At the meeting with Guangdong provincial leaders, Mr Tsang said infrastructure and avian flu will be discussed.

Close liaison maintained with health ministry

On the suspected human case of avian flu H5N1 in Guangdong, Mr Tsang stressed a close liaison is being maintained with the Ministry of Health and Guangdong Health Department. Response mechanisms will be escalated according to well laid-out plans if the case is confirmed, he added.

When asked about the Tamar project, Mr Tsang reiterated it can bring additional jobs for the construction industry - which suffers a jobless rate of over 10% - and be a stimulus to the economy in the coming few years.

He said the project will proceed according to people's wishes, adding dialogues with the public and lawmakers will continue, to lobby their support for the project.