The Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Henry Tang, and the Mayor of Shenzhen Municipal Government, Mr Xu Zongheng, co-chaired the Hong Kong/Shenzhen co-operation meeting in Hong Kong today (December 18). Relevant Principal Officials of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government, as well as the senior officials and heads of various Shenzhen authorities attended the meeting.

     At the meeting, the two sides discussed and exchanged views on concrete co-operation items and issues of mutual concern. Both sides agreed that, since signing of the Memorandum on Closer Co-operation between Hong Kong and Shenzhen in 2004, substantial progress and achievements have been attained in various areas of co-operation, including major cross-boundary infrastructural projects, boundary control points, town planning, economic and trade, innovation and technology, tourism, environmental protection and education etc.

     Both sides agreed to set up two joint task forces, namely the "Task Force on Airport Co-operation between Hong Kong and Shenzhen" and the "Hong Kong-Shenzhen Joint Task Force on Boundary District Development" to accelerate collaboration between the airports of the two places and studies on the planning and development in respect of the areas in proximity to the boundary.

     The two sides agreed to commence the work of the newly-formed "Task Force on Airport Co-operation between Hong Kong and Shenzhen" as early as possible, and to draw up specific work plans to maximise synergy among airports in Hong Kong and Shenzhen with a view to enhancing the competitiveness of both places. The other newly-established "Hong Kong-Shenzhen Joint Task Force on Boundary District Development" will explore the feasibility of developing the Lok Ma Chau Loop on the basis of mutual benefit, and will steer further studies and planning on other cross-boundary issues. Both sides also agreed to work out proposals which best suit the development of the Lok Ma Chau Loop under the co-ordinating mechanism of the "Hong Kong-Shenzhen Joint Task Force on Boundary District Development".

     The planning study on the Liantang/Heung Yuen Wai control point, jointly conducted by the two sides, has come to its final stage. The HKSAR Government's planning study on the new control point and its associated connecting roads in Hong Kong is also expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2008. The HKSAR Government will carefully study the results and will consider the relevant specific works concerned in detail.

     The HKSAR Government is pressing ahead the planning of the Hong Kong section of the Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong Express Rail Link (ERL). The HKSAR Government is working closely with the Shenzhen Municipal Government and the relevant Mainland authorities on the connection options and construction arrangement of the cross-boundary tunnel between Hong Kong and Shenzhen, so as to ensure a smooth interface between the Hong Kong and Mainland sections of the ERL, both during the construction and operational stages, to achieve win-win results for both sides.

     Since the signing of the co-operation agreement on "Shenzhen/Hong Kong Innovation Circle" this year, the two sides have organised various activities to promote technology exchanges including technology forum, seminar and joint funding scheme to encourage co-operation between R&D institutions of the two places.

     On the convention and exhibition service industry, the two sides agreed that while Shenzhen continues its work to improve its supporting services, bring in international convention and exhibition companies and attract more talent of the industry, the convention and exhibition sector of both places should capitalise on the opportunities to enhance exchange and co-operation.

     On tourism co-operation, the two sides agreed to strengthen communication and co-operation between Hong Kong and Shenzhen in tourism promotion, to facilitate exchange among the travel industries, and to jointly promote multi-destination itineraries, the Honest and Quality Hong Kong Tours and the Meetings, Incentives, Conventions and Exhibitions (MICE) tourism. Both sides will also step up co-operation in promoting healthy development of the tourism industry in the two places.

     The HKSAR Government also exchanged views with the Shenzhen Municipal Government on food safety issues, including enforcement against the smuggling of foodstuff and stepping up co-operation on the management at boundary control points.

     "The HKSAR Government has all along attached importance to the co-operation relationship with Shenzhen. Hong Kong and Shenzhen are fully aware that, in the face of keen competitions around the world, both of us not only have to capitalise our own strengths, we also have to develop new competitive edges and to deepen the level of co-operation between us. By complementing our respective advantages, the two places will be able to make the best of our competitiveness in the region," Mr Tang said.

     "With high level of sincerity of both places to join hand-in-hand to complement each other, the determination to capture the opportunities available and enhancement in communication and co-operation will make various co-operation items to strike a break-through, which make the co-operation between Hong Kong and Shenzhen much closer."

     Hong Kong and Shenzhen signed seven co-operation agreements after the meeting. They are:

* Co-operation Agreement on recently initiated major infrastructural projects
* Agreement on enhancing co-operation on environmental protection between Hong Kong and Shenzhen
* Agreement on enhancing co-operation on town planning between Hong Kong and Shenzhen
* Memorandum on enhancing and promoting co-operation in the service industry between Hong Kong and Shenzhen
* Agreement on co-operation in tourism
* Memorandum on co-operation for the Shenzhen/Hong Kong Innovation Circle Interactive Base
* Agreement on co-operation on medical and nursing services

     A summary of the seven Hong Kong/Shenzhen co-operation agreements is at Annex.

     Other Principal Officials accompanying the Chief Secretary for Administration include the Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Frederick Ma; the Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs, Mr Stephen Lam; the Secretary for Food and Health, Dr York Chow; the Secretary for Development, Mrs Carrie Lam; and the Secretary for Transport and Housing, Ms Eva Cheng.

Ends/Tuesday, December 18, 2007
Issued at HKT 21:15

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