Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Chief Executive Donald Tsang and Australian Prime Minister John Howard agreed on Thursday to augment trade and economic ties between the two jurisdictions, according to news from the Hong Kong Information Services Department.

The news said that Tsang held a bilateral meeting with Howard after attending the APEC 2007 Business Summit in Sydney on Thursday. They agreed Hong Kong and Australia are important trading partners and should forge closer ties.

Tsang encouraged Australian companies, particularly small and medium enterprises, to explore the Chinese mainland market via Hong Kong. He also updated Howard on Hong Kong's efforts in protecting the environment and exchanged views on how the global community can better cope with the climate change.

Tsang will attend the 15th Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation (APEC) Economic Leaders' Meeting this weekend. Climate change will be a major topic.

Noting the issue is a worldwide challenge requiring concerted efforts from all economies, Tsang said that a global vision and collective determination is needed to develop strategies and implement mitigating measures to avert or ameliorate the adverse impact of climate change.

Tsang and other leaders will discuss a wide range of issues including the prospects for the World Trade Organization (WTO) Doha Round; regional economic integration; "behind-the-border" impediments to trade and structural reform; revitalizing APEC's process and institutions; APEC membership and reform; climate change, energy security and clean development; and human security.

(Xinhua News Agency September 7, 2007)