Hong Kong Chief Executive Donald Tsang arrived in Beijing Wednesday for talks with China's leaders over the effects of the global economic slump on the former British colony, reported dpa.
Tsang is to meet President Hu Jintao, Premier Wen Jiabao and other top officials during his annual reporting trip to the Chinese capital, which was expected to be dominated by the impact of the recession.
Wealthy Hong Kong slipped into recession last month after seeing property prices crash, unemployment rise and the Hang Seng Index lose almost 20,000 points from its peak of nearly 32,000 in October 2007.
Tsang was expected to seek Beijing's support for an expansion of yuan trading in Hong Kong and an increase in the quota of mainland Chinese visitors allowed to cross the border into the city.
China is credited with rescuing Hong Kong's economy in the aftermath of the 2003 outbreak of SARS, or severe acute respiratory syndrome, by easing travel restrictions to allow millions more mainland Chinese visitors to cross the border on shopping trips.
Tsang, who was appointed Hong Kong leader by Beijing in 2005, is to join in celebrations marking the 30th anniversary of China's "open door" economic policy Thursday before meeting with Wen and Hu Friday, officials said.