Staff reporter

China has vowed to support Hong Kong's status as a separate customs territory, enabling it to sign more free-trade pacts and partnerships.

The pledge came at a forum held by the Hong Kong government and China's Ministry of Commerce to introduce the new amendment under the Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement.

Fan Shijie, director-general of the Department of Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Macao Affairs at the Ministry of Commerce, said that the ministry would implement various preferential measures and strengthen cooperation under the agreement.