Chief Executive Donald Tsang has started his three-day study tour in Jiangxi to boost economic and trade ties between Hong Kong and the Pan-Pearl River Delta region.

Leading a 130-strong delegation of government officials and local business leaders, Mr Tsang toured Nanchang Urban Planning Exhibition Hall, where they were briefed on the province's development, and Nanchang's comprehensive planning and future development.

Hectic schedule: Chief Executive Donald Tsang receives a warm welcome at Nanchang Changbei Airport. He visits Jiangxi Copper Corporation and Tellhow Sci-Tech Company in Nanchang Hi-Tech Industrial Development Zone.

Better understanding

In the afternoon, the delegation visited three enterprises in Nanchang to gain a better understanding of the business environment there as a base for manufacturing industries, including costs and the supply of electricity, labour and professional personnel.

The delegation was also given an overview of the development of heavy industry in the province and how Jiangxi enterprises make use of Hong Kong's capital-raising and professional services platform to enter the overseas market.

In Nanchang Hi-Tech Industrial Development Zone, the delegation learn about the city's potential for high value-added and high-tech industries.

Mr Tsang met provincial leaders, including Communist Party of China Jiangxi Provincial Committee Secretary Meng Jianzhu and Jiangxi Acting Governor Wu Xinxiong, and attended a welcoming dinner hosted by the Jiangxi Provincial Government.

Highly complementary

Both parties reaffirmed that the economic structure of Hong Kong and Jiangxi are highly complementary and the two places will continue co-operate on a number of fronts.

Mr Tsang said Jiangxi's development corresponded with the trend of local businesses moving factories to the hinterland.

Hong Kong will continue make use of the Pan-Pearl River Delta Region platform, the city's international network and professional services to help Jiangxi's development in the globalised world, he added.

The delegation will partake in the Hong Kong-Jiangxi Business Co-operation Symposium and a tourism symposium run by the Jiangxi Provincial Government and visit Jiujiang tomorrow.