Secretary for Transport & Housing Eva Cheng is leading a 29-member shipping mission to Shanghai and Ningbo from November 26 to 29 to promote Hong Kong's shipping and maritime services.

The mission, organised by the Maritime Industry Council and the Marine Department, serves as a platform for industry leaders to meet potential customers and partners and keep pace with the latest developments in Shanghai and Ningbo.

Tomorrow, the mission will visit Marintec China 2007, a prominent international shipping and maritime trade fair with 1,100 exhibitors from 30 countries and regions, including Hong Kong.

Ms Cheng will open the Hong Kong Pavilion at Marintec China. The pavilion is set up jointly by the Maritime Industry Council, the Trade Development Council and the Marine Department to showcase Hong Kong's strengths in maritime services such as ocean transport, ship management, ship register, maritime communications and navigation equipment.

On Wednesday, Ms Cheng will open a seminar on Hong Kong maritime services in Ningbo, where speakers from the mission will update the Mainland audience on Hong Kong's professional services in shipping finance, insurance, maritime law, taxation, ship management and shipping register.

During the four-day visit, Ms Cheng will meet Shanghai Municipal Port Administration Bureau Director Xu Puixing, Ningbo Mayor Mao Guanglie, and Ningbo Municipal Bureau of Communications Director-General Yu Gang.