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The following is issued on behalf of the Legislative Council Secretariat:
The delegation of the Legislative Council of HKSAR on the study of the Economic Development and Environmental Protection in Pearl River Delta (PRD) Region concluded its three-day duty visit in PRD today (May 18). The President of the Legislative Council and leader of the delegation, Hon Jasper Tsang Yok-sing, said at the end of the visit that delegation members had gained a better understanding of the latest economic and environmental development in the PRD Region.
Mr Tsang said that as Hong Kong and the PRD Region were inseparable in many aspects, any changes in one side would definitely have impacts on the other. A more in depth knowledge of the PRD Region would facilitate Members in monitoring the Administration in the formulation and implementation of policies, particularly those related to cross-boundary cooperation.
Mr Tsang said that the three-day visit had indeed provided a venue for useful exchange of views between Members and the Mainland authorities. He hoped that this type of visit could be normalized and held on a regular basis in the future to strengthen communication.
Mr Tsang said despite the tight schedule and heavy agenda, the delegation had successfully completed its three-day duty visit in Shenzhen, Guangzhou, Nansha and Zhuhai. He expressed his gratitude to the Guangdong Provincial Government which had attached great importance to the visit.
¡§I do feel that both sides, i.e., Members of the Legislative Council and Government officials from Guangdong whom we met, have the willingness and understanding that this kind of dialogue and interchange of views and information is necessary, given that the integration of Hong Kong with PRD is now moving forward at a spectacular pace,¡¨ Mr Tsang said.
Hon Audrey Eu, Chairman of the Panel on Environmental Affairs, suggested that Mainland officials visiting Hong Kong could be invited to meet with Members to exchange views on issues of common interest. Hon Jeffery Lam, Chairman of the Panel on Economic Development, said that it was necessary to explore more ways to enhance communication with Mainland officials.
During the three-day visit, the 25-member delegation visited various facilities related to logistics, tourism, infrastructure and environmental protection in Shenzhen, Guangzhou, Nansha and Zhuhai. They also had a meeting with senior officials of the Guangdong Provincial Government to exchange views on issues concerning the development of Guangdong and cooperation between Hong Kong and Guangdong.
On the last day of the visit, members of the delegation attended a luncheon hosted by the Zhuhai Municipal Government. They returned to Hong Kong after the luncheon.
Ends/Monday, May 18, 2009
Issued at HKT 20:04
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