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The third 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 at the Institute in Shenzhen today (May 15).
The forum was initiated by the research institutions of Shenzhen and Hong Kong, with the aim of strengthening non-official exchanges between the two places in addition to government interactions. The first two forums, held in 2006 and 2007 in Shenzhen and Hong Kong respectively, have made important contributions in promoting co-operation between the two places. The theme of today's forum was "Shenzhen-Hong Kong Co-operation under the Economic Crisis". The forum examined the development of the financial tsunami and its impact on Shenzhen and Hong Kong. Around 100 participants from Hong Kong and Shenzhen, including experts from various fields, academics, businessmen and government officials, were invited to the forum.
The Head of the CPU, Professor Lau Siu-kai, and the Deputy Mayor of Shenzhen, Mr Lu Ruifeng, delivered opening addresses at the forum.
In his opening address, Professor Lau said: "We have to fully utilise the policy of early and pilot implementation provided in 'The Outline of the Plan for the Reform and Development of the Pearl River Delta (2008-2020)'. We need to plan, prepare and take quick actions under the principle of 'one country, two systems' to develop Hong Kong and Shenzhen into a leading and world-class metropolis in China, which can promote development within the country and compete externally in the international arena."
Mr Lu said in the forum: "In accordance with the overall requirement of 'scientific development, early and pilot implementation', the Outline provides for the acceleration of reform and opening up of the Pearl River Delta Region, upgrading its industrial structure, and developing one of the world's mega metropolitan areas with powerful competitive strengths in core areas through labour division, co-operation, and mutual complementation among Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Macao. The Outline has provided new goals and missions for Shenzhen-Hong Kong co-operation on a national strategic level, and presented new study topics for the governments and communities in the two places."
Participants at the forum were divided into four groups and had in-depth discussions on how Shenzhen and Hong Kong could further co-operate in areas such as employment, support for small and medium-sized enterprises, education and manpower training, and social welfare, in order to combat the crisis and grasp opportunities.
Organisers from both Shenzhen and Hong Kong attach great importance to the Shenzhen-Hong Kong Co-operation Forum, and hope that the forum can continue to further enhance co-operation and exchanges between the two places.
Ends/Friday, May 15, 2009
Issued at HKT 18:16
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