HONG KONG, Aug. 4 (Xinhua) -- Claudia McMurray, Assistant Secretary (AS) for Oceans, Environment and Science of the U.S. Department of State, visited Hong Kong on Aug. 3-4, according to a press release issued by Consulate General of the United States of America to Hong Kong on Friday.

During her visit, McMurray met with a number of Hong Kong officials and members of the business community to discuss the issues of mutual interests, particular the issues of health and environment protection.

This visit is a part of the Assistant Secretary's seven-city tour in China, and she will attend the U.S.-China Global Issues Forum in Beijing to be held on Aug. 9-10, said the press release.

During her meetings, McMurray emphasized that both Hong Kong and the United States recognize that environment problems and health issues have affected the welfare of people in both places and have got economic consequences.

She spoke highly the role of Hong Kong playing in safeguarding the health and safety which is not only in its own residents, but also in many Americans working and visiting here.

She also cited the successful cooperation between Hong Kong and the United States, including work to ensure transparency and prompt reporting on both animal and human outbreaks of the virus and to Assist in developing capacity to identify the virus.

McMurray also met with representatives of the Hong Kong financial community and energy and environment technology industries and discussed some issues on support for cooperation in addressing air pollution, climate change and related clean energy. Enditem