Visiting assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs Shen Guofang and Hong Kong Chief Executive Tung Chee Hwa had an in-depth exchange of views Tuesday on how to make use of the national diplomatic resources to support and assist Hong Kong to expand external cooperation in various fields.

Shen, paying a one-day visit to Hong Kong, discussed with Tung on supporting and assisting Hong Kong to expand its external cooperation in economy, trade, science, technology, education and tourism fields in accordance with the Basic Law.

The two sides also exchanged views on protecting Hong Kong residents' legitimate rights overseas.

Chief Executive Tung Chee Hwa thanked the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for its support for Hong Kong's external exchanges and its efforts for protecting Hong Kong residents legitimate rights overseas.

Tung said, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government will further strengthen its connection and cooperation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in HKSAR, in a bid to expand Hong Kong's external exchanges, and create a good external environment and conditions for maintaining Hong Kong's long term prosperity and stability.

Shen expressed satisfaction with the sound working relations between the HKSAR government and the Commissioner's Office in accordance with the principles of "mutual respect, mutual trust, mutual support and close cooperation."

Shen also praised HKSAR government's positive support to the work of Ministry of Foreign Ministry and Commissioner's Office.

The two sides also reviewed the recent Hong Kong-related consulate protection work and expressed satisfaction over the work. Both sides expressed the will to further improve the cooperation mechanism in this regards.

Shen Guofang will visit Macao on Dec. 8.

Source: Xinhua