Chief Secretary Henry Tang has kicked off his three-day visit to Sichuan, leading a business delegation to Chengdu today.

The team was first briefed on the services and investment opportunities in Chengdu, and then visited Lan Kwai Fong Chengdu and Chunxi Road Commercial Circle. Lan Kwai Fong Chengdu, scheduled to open in the first half of next year, is being developed by Lan Kwai Fong Holdings to be a retail, dining and entertainment complex with an area 18 times the size of its Hong Kong equivalent.

Chunxi Road Commercial Circle is a flourishing shopping area and one of the three large commercial districts in the older part of the city.

"Chengdu is one of the economic hubs in the western part of the Mainland with tremendous potential in its retail market. The visits today have enabled Hong Kong companies and professionals to better understand the business opportunities in the Chengdu area," Mr Tang said.

Tomorrow the delegation will call on provincial leaders, attend the Hong Kong-Sichuan Business Co-operation Symposium, and visit earthquake-stricken areas to learn about the progress of reconstruction work.