Asia's world city: Chief Executive Donald Tsang speaks at the "Hong Kong - The Perfect Choice!" reception in San Francisco.

Hong Kong is the "perfect choice" for business or leisure travel and is determined to constantly improve its appeal for visitors, Chief Executive Donald Tsang told guests at a San Francisco reception.

San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom welcomed the Chief Executive and declared June 13, 2008 as "Hong Kong Day in San Francisco".

Officiating at "Hong Kong - The Perfect Choice!", organised by the Hong Kong Economic & Trade Office in San Francisco and the Hong Kong Tourism Board at the city's historic Ferry Building, Mr Tsang addressed more than 250 guests - including consuls general, business leaders, senior officials and local dignitaries.

Mr Tsang noted that last year Hong Kong had welcomed 28 million visitors - "four times our population" - and that the city plays host to more than 300 international conventions and exhibitions each year.

"First-rate facilities, global connectivity, a professional workforce, a commitment to excellence, quality services and ample entertainment opportunities all add up to ensure the success of any event," he said.

Hong Kong was pushing ahead with plans for a new cruise terminal in the city, as well as a $5.4 billion upgrade of its marine-based theme park, he said. New attractions would also be added to Hong Kong Disneyland, while about $150 million had been earmarked to enhance Hong Kong's appeal as an international convention, exhibition and tourism capital.

Hong Kong was also honoured to be hosting the equestrian events for the 2008 Beijing Olympics, Mr Tsang said.

"As far as large events are concerned, nothing comes much bigger than the Olympics. In less than 60 days, Hong Kong will proudly join the league of Olympic cities by staging the equestrian events on the Beijing Olympiad.This is a great honour for our city, and we are pulling out all stops to ensure they are the best Olympic equestrian events ever."

The Hong Kong Jockey Club has invested more than $1 billion in state-of-the-art equestrian facilities, Mr Tsang said, including a number of world firsts, including:

* the first 24-hour air conditioned stables for horses;

* the first indoor air-conditioned training area;

* the first on-site equine drug testing facilities;

* the first mobile cooling stations for horses; and,

* the first 100% recycling of Olympic stable waste, which is in keeping with the Green Olympics theme.