HONG KONG, November 10. /TASS/. The government of Hong Kong has expressed an interest in strengthening economic and humanitarian ties between Russia and the Chinese special administrative region (SAR), Russian Consul General Anatoly Kargapolov told TASS after a meeting with Hong Kong SAR Chief Executive John Lee.

"During the meeting, both sides expressed optimism regarding strengthening Russia's cooperation with Hong Kong. There was a discussion of relevant questions of economic and humanitarian cooperation, as well as increasing tourist flows," the diplomat stated.

Kargapolov noted in particular the remarkable growth in bilateral trade that has been seen to date this year. "According to the Census and Statistics Department of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, from January to September of this year, trade between Russia and the [south China] metropolis reached $4.3 bln, which represents a 102.4% increase over the same period in 2022," he stressed.

The Russian consul general said that during the conversation both sides had expressed an eagerness to support and promote the current dynamics of expanding trade and economic ties.