Hong Kong will form a dedicated unit to liaise with Shenzhen authorities, Chief Executive Donald Tsang says, adding the Hong Kong Economic & Trade Office in Guangdong will be strengthened.
In his 2009-10 Policy Address today Mr Tsang said the moves will further enhance co-operation between Hong Kong and Guangdong which continues growing.
"In the past 30 years Hong Kong has fully participated in the reform and opening up of the Mainland and the industrialisation process, and we ourselves have transformed from a manufacturing base into a service-oriented economy," he said. "In the next 30 years development of service industries will be critical for the Mainland economy. This sets a clear direction for Hong Kong in the Pearl River Delta region."
Developing Qianhai
At the Hong Kong-Guangdong Co-operation Joint Conference in August Hong Kong and Shenzhen signed a letter of intent on co-operation in the development of Qianhai.
"By participating in the development of Qianhai in Shenzhen, Hong Kong will be able to promote and enhance our own service industries and contribute to the development of service industries on the Mainland," Mr Tsang said.
He said the Government will continue to explore with Guangdong and Shenzhen authorities how best to leverage Hong Kong's advantages as an international financial, trade and shipping centre, and combine the strengths of both sides to promote the development of modern service industries in Qianhai.
6 industries, Guangdong
Elaborating on the development of the six industries, Mr Tsang said the Government's strategy is to seize the opportunities arising from co-operation with Guangdong and align efforts with measures already introduced to get immediate results.
He said efforts have begun to yield results since his pledge in April to explore these industries, particularly in the areas of education and medical services.
Hong Kong and Guangdong are formulating a framework agreement for co-operation which will translate macro policies of the Outline of the Plan for the Reform & Development of the Pearl River Delta into concrete measures.
The framework will also serve as an agenda for Hong Kong-Guangdong co-operation, laying a foundation in seeking to incorporate related initiatives into the National 12th Five-Year Plan.
Guangdong, Macau
Hong Kong will work with Guangdong and Macau to formulate two regional co-operation plans on building a quality living circle and on infrastructure development to improve the living environment and upgrade infrastructure in the three places.
Mr Tsang added the Government will continue to promote the Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement, ensure its effective implementation and seek further liberalisation and facilitation measures under it.