Tsang described as "highly impressive" what he saw during visits to a number of scientific research projects specializing in agricultural, bioengineering and information technology.

One of the most attention-grabbing items on the agenda turned out to be "Yang Yang", one of the world's first cloned sheep cultivated by Yang Ling Keyuan Bioengineering Ltd. Delegation members took turn to have a picture taken with the star sheep.

The chief secretary said the projects are a demonstration of the human resource capability of the country as a whole, adding that this is what Hong Kong should have.

He said Hong Kong can be of great help for enterprises in western China in terms of quality control, management efficiency, marketing and professional expertise.

Asked if he would expect the SAR delegation to clinch any deals with the technology-intensive projects, Tsang again described his role as the key to open the door for Hong Kong's business community.

"We are still in the early days of the trip. I am not looking for quick returns, nor am I looking for a signing of contracts. What is important is to establish business contacts and cultivate a better understanding of what business opportunities are in western China," Tsang said.

Economic Services Secretary Ip Shu-kwan said he looked at Hong Kong and Xi'an as two complimentary economies with the SAR adept in financial services and the latter rich in technology and natural resources.

He said it was a good idea for the city's high-tech start-ups to seek listing on the growth enterprise market in Hong Kong and raise funds for the cash-strapped firms.

Government sources said yesterday's trip aims to help Hong Kong companies explore business opportunities in the mainland's technology research results through utilizing Hong Kong's expertise in venture capital financing, marketing, packaging and product distribution.

The SAR delegation visited two high-tech parks in Xi'an and Yang Ling, 82 kilometers from the provincial capital city.

Showcase projects include Xi'an International Enterprises Incubation Centre, Xi'an Synchrobit Co Ltd, Da Tang Telecommunications, Science and Technology Co Ltd, Qin Chuan Water Conservation & Irrigation Engineering Technology Co Ltd as well as the firm that cloned the sheep.

(China Daily 05/22/2001)