Chinese Vice-Premier Li Keqiang speaks to the Hong Kong businesspeople and professionals of the business and industry sectors and other groups in a tea gathering during his visit to the SAR, August 16, 2011. [Edmond Tang/China Daily]

HONG KONG - Chinese Vice Premier Li Keqiang, who was on a 3-day visit to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, was having a tea gathering with some 30 Hong Kong-based businesspeople and professionals on Tuesday afternoon and listened to their views on Hong Kong's future development and economic cooperation between the mainland and the region.

Before businesspeople and professionals spoke, Li said businesspeople and professionals have long played an irreplaceable role in Hong Kong's development. He expressed hope that they could continue playing their parts and contributing to Hong Kong's prosperity.

Heads of Hong Kong's major business associations - including the Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce and British Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong -- joined in the tea gathering and gave their views.