Zhu told a high-level Hong Kong go-west business delegation Thursday in Beijing that as the country moves forward with its go-west campaign business opportunity abounds in the resource-heavy region for far-sighted Hong Kong entrepreneurs.

"The western region is speeding up improvements in infrastructure while enhancing its ecological well-being. This will give Hong Kong business people a big stage on which to perform,'' said Zhu.

Zhu said he hoped the business trip to the western region, which accounts for two thirds of the land in China, would give Hong Kong entrepreneurs insights and help them expand the market there.

Zhu's words were echoed by Hong Kong's Chief Secretary for Administration Donald Tsang, the head of the delegation, who said the go-west campaign has provided a good opportunity for Hong Kong, which is undergoing industrial restructuring.

Hong Kong has moved its industrial sectors to the inland region of China, taking advantage of the rich land, human resources and wide-open market, while focusing on high technology industry and the service sector on its turf.

The western region has gained attention in Hong Kong's business community as competition in China's prosperous coastal region, once the epicenter of Hong Kong business, is on the rise.

The delegation toured scientific research projects specializing in agriculture, bio-engineering, information technology, infrastructure development, while hunting for business opportunities there.

Tsang said earlier during his go-west tour that Hong Kong can be of great help to enterprises in western China in terms of quality control, management efficiency, marketing and professional expertise.

(China Daily 05/25/2001)