Hong Kong and Guangdong officials yesterday reviewed the progress in many areas of bilateral cooperation and agreed to implement plans in a number of key areas in the coming months.

The progress in cross-border collaboration was achieved at the Sixth Working Meeting of the Hong Kong-Guangdong Cooperation Joint Conference held in Guangzhou. The meeting was co-chaired by Hong Kong's Chief Secretary for Administration Rafael Hui and Guangdong's Executive Vice-Governor Tang Bingquan.

The issues covered included major infrastructure projects, cross-boundary flow of people and cargo, and cooperation in technology, trade, economic activities and environmental protection, prevention of infectious diseases and ensuring food safety.

Cross-border projects

The two sides noted the breakthrough in the planning of the Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong Express Rail Link, agreed to continue with the remaining work of another cross-border traffic artery - the Hong Kong-Shenzhen Western Corridor, which is expected to be completed on schedule by the end of the year.

Both sides will continue with the preparatory work for the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge.

The two sides agreed to extend in phases an airline check-in service for travellers heading for Hong Kong International Airport, starting with Shekou ferry terminal in November last year, to cover more control points.

They will also continue with the preparatory work on the freight through train service linking Changping in Dongguan and Hung Hom.

Economic and trade cooperation

In order to assist more mainland enterprises to set up or expand their business in Hong Kong, the two sides are planning to organize business seminars in various cities of Guangdong Province and to arrange delegations for interested enterprises to visit Hong Kong.

The two governments will work together to plan on a large-scale joint overseas investment promotion this year.

They will also organize promotional activities to strengthen exchanges between the professional sectors and service industry of the two places, and step up promotion of concessionary measures set out under the Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement (CEPA).

The two sides also agreed to continue with the "2005 Guangdong-Hong Kong Technology Cooperation Funding Scheme", which has supported 126 projects with a total funding of HK$360 million in the two places.

Details of funding and technology areas to be supported this year will be announced in the middle of the year.

Guangdong pledged its support for the Pan-Pearl River Delta (PPRD) Regional Cooperation Financial Services Forum to be held in Hong Kong at the end of next month.

The two sides agreed to encourage provinces in the region to use Hong Kong as a bridge to connect the PPRD region to the world, to use Hong Kong's advantages as an international financial hub and to encourage mainland enterprises to raise capital and to enter the international market.

Health and food safety

Agreement was reached to strengthen cooperation in the prevention of infectious diseases and the application of food safety measures.

On the surveillance of poultry and other birds being attacked by avian flu, Guangdong will take action that corresponds to preventive measures taken in Hong Kong.

The measures will include combating illegal export of live poultry and strengthening surveillance and inspection in markets.

(China Daily HK edition February 17, 2006)