On January 12, 2009, Chinese Vice Foreign Minister He Yafei met with a delegation of officials from the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) headed by Under Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs Raymond Tam.

He said the Chinese Foreign Ministry will continue to actively support HKSAR to engage in foreign exchanges and cooperation, further improve Hong Kong-related consular protection mechanism and well protect the rights and interests of Kong Hong compatriots abroad. Hong Kong's economy has experienced some difficulties due to the international financial crisis. He expressed belief that with the joint efforts of the HKSAR Government and Kong Hong compatriots as well as the strong support from the Central Government, the HKSAR will surely translate challenges into opportunities and tide over the difficulties to achieve new development.

Raymond Tam expressed gratitude to the Foreign Ministry and the Commissioner's Office of the Chinese Foreign Ministry in Hong Kong Special Administration Region for their enormous efforts in HKSAR's expansion of foreign exchanges and cooperation and Hong Kong-related consular protection. The preferential policies and measures offered by the Central Government have played an important role in stabilizing Hong Kong's economy and Hong Kong citizens are fully confident of the future, he added.