Background and Objectives

In his Policy Address delivered in October 2009, then Chief Executive pointed out that in response to the latest development in cross-Strait relations, Hong Kong would actively pursue economic, cultural, social and other exchanges with Taiwan. He also proposed, among other things, the establishment of the Hong Kong-Taiwan Economic and Cultural Cooperation and Promotion Council (ECCPC) as a co-operation framework to promote multi-faceted, multi-level exchanges with Taiwan.

The ECCPC, set up in April 2010 and registered as a limited company under the Companies Ordinance (Cap 32), engages the Taiwan-Hong Kong Economic and Cultural Co-operation Council (THEC), its counterpart in Taiwan, in exchanges and cooperation between Hong Kong and Taiwan. The main tasks of the ECCPC include:
  • To initiate discussions and negotiations on public policy related issues of mutual interest to both places;
  • To co-organise joint meetings with the THEC, secretariat meetings, expert meetings on specific topics as well as other events in order to develop multi-cooperation areas; and
  • To coordinate relevant entities of the Hong Kong and Taiwan authorities for their participation in policy exchanges and discussions.
The ECCPC is a non-governmental organisation. The Financial Secretary acts as the Honorary Chairperson of the ECCPC, Mr David Lie is the Chairperson, while Mr Erick Tsang Kwok-wai, the Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs, is the Executive Vice-Chairperson. Senior representatives from various policy bureaux and relevant organisations, including the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, the Hong Kong Tourism Board and the Hong Kong Economic, Trade and Cultural Office, act as Directors of the ECCPC to oversee its work.

Hong Kong has also set up the Hong Kong-Taiwan Business Co-operation Committee and Hong Kong-Taiwan Cultural Co-operation Committee respectively to work with their counterparts, the Economic Co-operation Committee and Cultural Co-operation Committee established under the THEC, to foster exchanges and discussions at the community level on trade, investment, tourism, culture and creative industries between the two places.