In the joint conference yesterday (August 5th), HK and GD delegations reached common ground in taking strengthening cooperation in 12 aspects as a short-term objective.

These 12 aspects are as follows:

1. Service industry.

The two parties will focus on service industry cooperation, such as logistics, storage, transportation, retail and cargo agents. GD government encourages Hong Kong retailer to open up their supermarket and mega market, as well as convenient store, food store and other stores in Guangdong. To attract more Hong Kong service industry to enter Guangdong, the provincial government plans to further decentralize the relevant authorizing right.

2. Cooperation between GD and HK customs.

By the 4th season this year, 3 new passenger ships will be open. At the same time, the construction of several projects, such as the Huanggang custom, Shatoujiao custom cross-border bridge, Shenzhen-west Hong Kong road custom and Huanggang underground custom, need to be speed up. The custom has to improve their working efficiency so that it will take all the passenger no more than half hour and cars at most 1 hour to pass the custom check. 

3. Key infrastructure projects.

The two sides agree to promote the HK-Zhuhai-Macao bridge project, forming a group called  'HK-Zhuhai-Macao bridge preparation work coordinating group', as well as to accelerate the preparation work of Guangzhou-Shenzhen-HK railway construction.

4. To introduce the Greater Pearl River Delta as the ideal investment place to the outside world

To introduce the Greater Pearl River Delta as the ideal investment place to the outside world including its investment environment and business opportunities together.

5. Tourism.

Work together to promote the Greater Pearl River Delta's tourism. And from July 28, citizens in Dongguan, Zhongshan, Jiangmen and Foshan cities in Guangdong Province were allowed to apply for visiting Hong Kong on an individual basis. The measure will be extended to Guangzhou, Shenzhen and Zhuhai, three key cities in the province with a large population, on Aug 20. And the measure will cover the whole province from Jan. 1, 2004.

6. Infectious disease reporting.

Forming a mechanism for prompt infectious disease information exchange and reporting.

7. Cooperation between medical institutions

The medical institutions of the two parties should strengthen their academic communication and cooperation on prevention and treatment of infectious disease.

8. Hi-tech industry.

Focusing on the cooperation in promotion of pharmacy, telecommunication, environmental protection industries as well as on upgrading the traditional industry with the latest technology. Enhance the capital cooperation on hi-tech industries and encourage the hi-tech enterprise apply for listing in Hong Kong stock market.

9. Education.

Set up school president forum in a bid to enhance the communication of presidents of universities and high schools in both sides.

10. Intellectual property right

Protect the intellectual property right together.

11. Development of non-PRD region in Guangdong

Attracting Hong Kong investors to invest east and west GD as well as its mountain area.

12. Culture and Sports

Enhancing the exchange on culture and sport.

Editor: Wing