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| Hong Kong Chief Executive Donald Tsang (right) and Guangdong Province Gov. Huang Huahua meet the media after the 12th Plenary of the Hong Kong/Guangdong Cooperation Joint Conference on August 19. |
Hong Kong Chief Executive Donald Tsang and Guangdong Province Gov. Huang Huahua recently co-chaired the 12th Plenary of the Hong Kong/Guangdong Cooperation Joint Conference in Hong Kong.
Both sides, reviewing the progress of major cooperation initiatives over the past year and discussing future direction, agreed August 19 that concrete results had been attained in key areas, including the implementation of the “Outline of the Plan for the Reform and Development of the Pearl River Delta” (the Outline), major cross-boundary infrastructural projects and boundary-control points, environmental protection, commerce and trade, finance, medical technology, education, tourism and town planning and development.
The implementation of the Outline, announced by the National Development and Reform Commission in January, is 2009’s key cooperation initiative. The main tasks include formulating the framework agreement between Hong Kong and Guangdong, transforming the Outline’s macro policies into concrete measures and incorporating the content into the national 12th Five-Year Plan. The preliminary study and drafting of the framework agreement are well under way; the content is expected to be finalized this year.
Under the theme of “Building a Quality Living Area,” the regional cooperation plan aims to transform the Pearl River Delta (PRD) region into a sustainable, green and quality living area. Hong Kong and Guangdong have initiated discussions on facilitating transport links and personnel exchange and strengthening regional cooperation in the areas of economic, environmental, cultural and social development. They will continue to actively prepare the regional cooperation plan. In addition, the two governments are devising a cooperative work plan for infrastructure construction, focusing on infrastructural development, and pushing forward the implementation of the Outline.
The governments of the HKSAR, Guangdong and Macao Special Administrative Region are gearing up to begin construction later this year of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge; completion is expected in 2015-16. In addition, construction of the Hong Kong section of the Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong Express Rail Link is set for end-2009, with completion in 2015. The planned rail link between the airports of Hong Kong and Shenzhen continues to move forward; to reflect fully the functions of the link, it has been renamed the “Hong Kong-Shenzhen Western Express Line.”
The two cities also have arrived at a consensus on the work program for the Liantang/Heung Yuen Wai Boundary Control Point, with a target operational date of 2018.
Both Hong Kong and Guangdong will continue to implement control measures under the Pearl River Delta Regional Air Quality Management Plan, and are committed to achieving emission reduction targets by 2010. A team of experts, supervised by their respective environmental protection authorities under the Hong Kong/Guangdong Joint Working Group on Sustainable Development and Environmental Protection, will undertake a joint study on the post-2010 arrangement for air pollutant-emission reduction in the PRD. It is hoped the study will be completed in 2010. In addition, the two governments agreed to explore new cooperation models for the recycling and reuse of materials and to further enhance cooperation on green transportation and promoting cleaner production and green business development.
Regarding Hong Kong processing trade enterprises operating in Guangdong to restructure, upgrade and tap the Mainland's domestic market, the HKSAR Government will continue to follow up with Guangdong on the implementation of its facilitation measures, including “restructure without stopping production” and “single tax return for multiple domestic sales” arrangements. Hong Kong also will support Guangdong to organize more business-matching and exhibition activities and pursue development of the Mainland’s domestic market.
Measures under Supplement V to the Mainland and Hong Kong Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement (CEPA) and those for early and pilot implementation in Guangdong Province as announced in 2008 were implemented earlier this year. Measures under the newly signed Supplement VI to the CEPA will be implemented in October. A total of 34 liberalization and facilitation measures have been announced for pilot implementation in Guangdong since 2008.
Additionally, the HKSAR Government is working with Shenzhen to take forward cooperation in Qianhai’s modern services industry and to set up an expert group for this purpose.
The pilot program of using renminbi (RMB) for cross-border trade settlements was launched in July. Enterprises in four Guangdong Province cities — Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Zhuhai and Dongguan — and those in Shanghai and Hong Kong can now use RMB for trade settlements.
Supplement VI to the CEPA introduced various measures relating to financial services. The HKSAR Government is striving for the early implementation of two of the measures, namely the establishment of "cross-location" sub-branches relating to the banking sector and the establishment of "joint venture securities investment advisory companies" relating to the securities sector. Implementation details are currently being worked out.
The Mainland and Hong Kong will capitalize on their technology, expertise and resources to develop influenza vaccines through enhanced and actively promoted cooperation in research and development.
With regard to the liberalization measures in medical services in the package of "Guangdong Pilot Measures" under Supplement V to the CEPA, health authorities will hold a conference in September to discuss the Hong Kong service providers that have applied to establish outpatient clinics in Guangdong Province and obtain the "medical practitioner's qualification certificate" through accreditation. Views also will be exchanged on the specific operation of the scheme, the application procedures and publicity work.
Hong Kong and Guangdong will continue to organize collaboration projects for teacher cooperation and training, further deepen cooperation under the Sister School Scheme, support the National Education Exchange Program for Hong Kong teachers and students, explore the feasibility of operating classes that offer the Hong Kong curriculum in privately run Shenzhen schools and enhance exchanges and collaboration in higher and vocational education between Hong Kong and Guangdong.
Plans enabling non-Guangdong residents in Shenzhen to apply for Individual Visit Scheme endorsements to visit Hong Kong will be implemented this year, hopefully before the National Day Golden Week, which begins October 1. Both sides also agreed to actively pursue extending the measures facilitating Shenzhen residents to visit Hong Kong to the rest of Guangdong, deepening implementation of the CEPA and pilot measures, enhancing cooperation in developing multi-destination travel itineraries and boosting honest and quality tourism, thereby promoting the "Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao tourism region" brand image. The HKSAR Government also suggested a pilot program in Guangdong Province, especially in Guangzhou and Shenzhen, to allow Hong Kong travel agents to operate tours to Taiwan and outbound destinations for Mainland residents.
In the development of the Lok Ma Chau Loop, both sides are looking to higher education as its leading use, complemented with hi-tech research and development facilities, as well as cultural and creative industries. The HKSAR Government commenced a comprehensive study on the Loop in June. Several local higher education institutes have submitted development proposals for the area, which will be considered by the governments of Hong Kong and Shenzhen. It is anticipated that the planned facilities will commence operation in 2020.
The Planning Study on the Coordinated Development of the Greater Pearl River Delta Townships is largely complete, and the findings are scheduled for release in October. Hong Kong, Guangdong and Macao are now planning to commence a study on the Action Plan for the Bay Area of the Pearl River Estuary.
The two sides will maintain close communications in other areas as well, including facilitation of people and cargo flow, food safety, innovation and technology, informatization, intellectual-property rights, culture, sports, notification of infectious diseases, social welfare, exchange of talent, emergency management and the joint promotion of cooperation in the PRD region.
Hong Kong and Guangdong signed eight cooperation agreements after the August 19 meeting. These include:
- Letter of Intent in Taking Forward Cooperation on Modern Service Industries between Hong Kong and Shenzhen in Qianhai
- Agreement on Education Cooperation between Hong Kong and Guangdong
- Cooperation Agreement on Implementing CEPA and Guangdong Pilot Measures
- Cooperation Arrangement on Joint Research and Development of Pharmaceutical Products (Vaccine) between Guangdong and Hong Kong
- Environmental Cooperation Agreement between Hong Kong SAR and Guangdong
- Cooperation Arrangement on Advancing Hong Kong-Shenzhen Western Express Line
- Cooperation agreement of the Expert Group on Hong Kong/Guangdong Financial Cooperation
- 2009-10 Agreement on Guangdong/Hong Kong Cooperation on Intellectual Property
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