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The fifth Shenzhen-Hong Kong Co-operation Forum, jointly organised by the Central Policy Unit (CPU) of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, the Shenzhen Special Economic Zone Research Association and the China Development Institute of Shenzhen, was held in Shenzhen today (September 22). The Head of the CPU, Professor Lau Siu-kai, attended the Forum and delivered the opening address and closing remarks.
The theme of the Forum was entitled "The Development of Qianhai and the Deepening of Co-operation between Shenzhen and Hong Kong". Qianhai is one of the major projects of co-operation among Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macau in the National 12th Five-Year Plan, and an important vehicle for the exploration of new modes of co-operation between Shenzhen and Hong Kong.
Professor Lau pointed out in his opening address that as past efforts in Shenzhen-Hong Kong co-operation had focused on the externally oriented manufacturing industries, the institutional and system requirements were unexceptional. However, service industries would be the major area of co-operation between Shenzhen and Hong Kong in Qianhai. As the conditions for developing service industries would be different from those of the manufacturing industries, it is necessary to explore new modes of co-operation in areas such as institutional and system innovation, and supply of skilled human resources.
Professor Lau noted that the impact and experience of Mainland and Hong Kong Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement (CEPA) could serve as a valuable reference for Qianhai. To take forward early and pilot schemes for the implementation of CEPA, it would be necessary for Qianhai to make a breakthrough in its market access measures. He added that in promoting co-operation between the service industries in Shenzhen and Hong Kong, it is important to study ways to help Hong Kong enterprises adjust themselves to the unique market environment of the Mainland.
In the afternoon session of the Forum, participants were divided into three groups to discuss respectively the development of Qianhai and institutional innovation, the development of Qianhai and further co-ordination of the infrastructure of Hong Kong and Shenzhen, and the development of Qianhai and further co-operation between Hong Kong and Shenzhen on human resources development. Over 150 participants from Shenzhen and Hong Kong, including experts, academics, businessmen and government officials, attended the Forum. The organising parties hoped that the Forum would provide new insights on Qianhai to further explore ways of co-operation between the service industries of the two places.
The Shenzhen-Hong Kong Co-operation Forum is a quasi-official platform jointly initiated by Shenzhen and Hong Kong for consultation and exchange. The Forum has been convened five times so far. It has been effective in promoting exchanges among experts, academics, business representatives and government officials of the two places, and is supported by both governments. In future, the two sides will continue to convene the Forum with a view to enhancing communication, forging consensus and deepening co-operation.
Ends/Thursday, September 22, 2011
Issued at HKT 15:14
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