Business ties: Professor KC Chan receives a souvenir from the Mayor of Beijing Municipality Guo Jinlong.

Secretary for Financial Services & the Treasury Professor KC Chan attended the 13th Beijing-Hong Kong Economic Co-operation Symposium in Beijing today, and met the capital's mayor Guo Jinlong.

Speaking at the symposium, Prof Chan encouraged business and financial enterprises in Hong Kong and Beijing to capitalise on their strengths and work together to achieve the goal of complementing each other and gaining prosperity.

He said Hong Kong will continue develop the four traditional pillar industries, namely financial services, tourism, trading and logistics, and professional services.

Later at the Beijing-Hong Kong Financial Services Co-operation Forum, Prof Chan said Hong Kong will grasp the opportunities presented by the One Country, Two Systems principal and develop the city as a global financial, asset management and offshore renminbi business centre attracting capital and talent from within and outside the country.

In the process, Hong Kong will endeavour to meet the Mainland's overall development needs and contribute to its financial security.

Prof Chan will open the Hong Kong Brands Exhibition before returning to Hong Kong tonight.