Tung Chee Hwa (1st R), chief executive of China's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, and his wife (1st L) pose for a photo with French President Jacques Chirac (2nd R) and his wife during a meeting in Hong Kong Oct. 12, 2004. (Xinhua Photo/Wang Xiaochuan)

French President Jacques Chirac gestures during a press conference in Hong Kong, south China, Oct. 12, 2004. (Xinhua Photo/Wang Xiaochuan)

    HONG KONG, Oct. 12 (Xinhuanet) -- French President Jacques Chirac ended his hours long visit to Hong Kong, the last leg of his five-day visit to China, and left for Paris Tuesday night.

    After arriving here Tuesday afternoon, Chirac met with Hong Kong Chief Executive Tung Chee Hwa and other senior officials of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government.

    Chirac pledged to enhance French-Hong Kong economic, trade and cultural relations when addressing a press conference held at Hong Kong International Financial Center.

    He also expressed strong interest in participating in the building of the planned Hong Kong modern art museum.

    Tung Chee Hwa said at a welcoming banquet that Hong Kong welcomed more investment from France and praised French companies in speeding up Hong Kong's economic recovery.

    He said among nearly 500 French companies in Hong Kong, about half of them use Hong Kong as their regional base and about one-third are active in the Pearl River Delta, the most dynamic economic region in the world today.

    Tung Chee Hwa said Chirac's visit is a symbol of the excellent relationship between France and Hong Kong. Hong Kong is fortunate to have about 6,000 French nationals in Hong Kong. It's the largest French community in East Asia, and it's expanding every year.

    He added that these people, and their employers, make a significant contribution to Hong Kong's economy. French companies feature prominently in Hong Kong's banking, insurance and construction industries. World-famous French luxury-goods manufacturers have recognized Hong Kong not just as a sophisticated market but also as the best place for their regional headquarters as well.

    During his stay in Hong Kong, Chirac officiated at the opening ceremony of the Presentation of Pablo Picasso's stage curtain "Parade", which also marks the launch of the French Culture Year in Hong Kong.

    The Parade curtain is Picasso's largest canvas curtain and measures 10.52 meters high by 16.2 meters wide. Regarded as one of the French national treasures, it has only been on public display 10 times in over 50 years. Enditem