On Dec. 21, 2010, Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi met with Hong Kong SAR Chief Executive Donald Tsang, who was paying a duty visit to Beijing. Minister Yang said the Hong Kong Special Administration Region (SAR) made new achievements in external exchanges and cooperation in 2010. Hong Kong continues to maintain its position as an international financial, trade and shipping center. Hong Kong's international influence continues to rise. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is willing to strengthen communication and coordination with the SAR government and continue to support the economic and social development of Hong Kong SAR. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will earnestly perform its consular protection duties for Hong Kong compatriots overseas and make news contributions to the prosperity and stability of Hong Kong. Chief Executive Donald Tsang thanked the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for actively assisting the SAR in conducting external exchanges and thanked the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Hong Kong, and the Chinese Embassy in the Philippines for their strong support to the SAR government and people in the hostage incident in the Philippines. He said Hong Kong would further strengthen communication and cooperation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.