Israel Deputy PM to visit Hong Kong

Silvan Shalom, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Israel, will arrive in Hong Kong Monday night for a two-day official visit to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR).

The Public Relations Department of the Consulate General of Israel in Hong Kong announced the visit in a press release Monday.

While in Hong Kong, Shalom will have a meeting with Chief Executive of the HKSAR Tung Chee Hwa, meet those from Hong Kong's leading companies and visit the Cyberport. He will also meet with members of the Jewish community in Hong Kong.

Hong Kong is one of the most important trade partners of Israeli n Asia. A record of 72 Israeli companies have now established their regional headquarters in Hong Kong.

Mutual trade between Israel and Hong Kong has grown significantly in the past half year with an increase of 20 percent in hi-tech exports and another 20 percent increase of imports.

In 2003, Hong Kong has a 2.4 billion-US dollar two-way trade with Israel.

Before coming to Hong Kong, Shalom paid an official visit to Beijing.

Source: Xinhua