Chinese Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan said Wednesday that discussion aiming to close the economic ties between the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and the mainland of China has already been launched.

Such a mechanism will bring mainland-Hong Kong economic cooperation to a higher level, Tang said this afternoon at a press conference held by the ongoing Fifth Session of the Ninth National People's Congress.

He said that China's entry to the World Trade Organization was a blessing for Hong Kong and Hong Kong will remain to be an international center for all kinds of activities.

Although there are some challenges and difficulties lying ahead for Hong Kong, Tang said that with the joint efforts of Hong Kong people, the sound leadership of Chief Executive Tung Chee Hwa and the support from the mainland, the prosperity of Hong Kong can be achieved.

(Xinhua News Agency March 6, 2002)