Senior officials from Hong Kong and Macao on Monday agreed to speed up study on ways to further facilitate the flow of residents over increasing demands for personnel exchange between the two cities.

Financial Secretary of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government John Tsang had a high-level cooperation meeting in Macao with Macao counterparts to discuss the latest progress and future direction of cooperation between the two special administrative regions.

The study is expected to be completed by the end of 2008 and a cooperation agreement as well as concrete implementation plans on the facilitation measures will be drawn up, according to the results of the cooperation meeting.

Both sides were pleased with the progress achieved in a number of co-operation areas, in particular proposed measures to facilitate cross-boundary people flow.

Apart from the immigration front, Hong Kong and Macao also agreed to continue maintaining close cooperation and communication in areas such as tourism and conventions, cross-boundary ferry services, cross-boundary infrastructure and cultural heritage protection.

(CRI July 1, 2008)