Hong Kong and Guangdong have agreed to boost the exchange of planning information to formulate a cross-regional comprehensive transport system that aids their economic growth.

According to a government press release on Sunday, officials from Hong Kong Constitutional Affairs Bureau under the Planning Department and the Guangdong Development & Reform Commission held a sharing session in Guangdong on Saturday to exchange views on strategic planning,

Both Guangdong and Hong Kong contended that putting in place an efficient, comfortable and comprehensive cross-regional transport network will align more effectively the cross-boundary transport linking the two places. It will in turn facilitate the further economic integration.

Both sides should step up the exchange of planning information in order to formulate a cross-regional comprehensive transport system that meets the needs of their economic growth, to jointly promote the overall development of the Pan-Pearl River Delta regional economic cooperation, Hong Kong and Guangdong officials agreed.

The sharing session enabled the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government to gain a better understanding of Guangdong's 11th Five-Year Plan and its aforementioned planning.

It also enhanced mutual understanding between Guangdong provincial government and the HKSAR government as regards transport planning and relevant operations in order to strengthen communication and cooperation.

(Xinhua News Agency July 31, 2006)