HONG KONG - Hong Kong Chief Executive C Y Leung said Tuesday that Hong Kong government needs to solve long- standing social issues by achieving faster and continuous economic growth, and with this in mind he will lead a delegation to visit Guangxi on Wednesday.

Speaking to reporters, Leung said Hong Kong has the advantages of being an international city and a centre for the country's logistics, tourism, financial and professional services. As such, it plays an important connecting role in the country's economic development.

As Guangxi shares a border with Vietnam, the delegation will also focus on trade and economic relationship with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in addition to local development, he said.

The visit is therefore important for the government's pursual of a free trade agreement with ASEAN, he added.

Leung will also visit Fujian in January, and he has visited Chongqing, which is a door to Central Asia and Europe.