Liu Qi, secretary of the Beijing Municipal Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC), said Thursday that closer Bejing-Hong Kong ties will benefit the prosperity of the two places and the development of the whole nation.

He made the remarks at the opening of the eighth two-day Beijing-Hong Kong Cooperation Symposium & Olympic Games Market Promotion Fair.

Liu, also member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, said the cooperation is expected to play an important role in helping realize the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.

He stressed that it is of great importance to seek opportunities for raising the cooperation to a higher level.

He said Beijing has entered a new stage in preparation for the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games. The city is focusing on the restructure of its economy and pushing forward the development of modern manufacturing, service and agriculture industries.

Liu said Beijing is also stepping up the work on the Olympic Games related projects and making every effort for the preparation of the major event.

He said the strengthening of the Beijing-Hong Kong cooperation is the requirement of two places.

Beijing is to cooperate with Hong Kong in economic and trade, education, culture, tourism, talents exchanges, environment protection fields and the Olympic Games related projects.

Liu arrived in Hong Kong Wednesday with Beijing Mayor Wang Qishan.  He is paying a 48-hour visit to Hong Kong.

(Xinhua News Agency September 2, 2004)