The ninth Plenary of Guangdong-Hong Kong Cooperation Joint Conference was held in Guangzhou on August 2nd.

The two delegations, headed by Guangdong Governor Huang Huahua and Hong Kong Chief Executive Donald Tsang, reached common ground on making the Greater Pearl River Delta (GPRD) region one of the most prosperous and vibrate economic centres in the world by taking full advantage of China-Hong Kong CEPA and enhancing bilateral co-operation in the areas of infrastructure and customs, environ-mental protection, food safety and public health in the coming five years.

During the conference, officials said special efforts will go towards developing the following areas:

ECONOMY AND TRADE

The two sides agreed to advance CEPA implementation, simplify the approval process of bilateral investment and trade and further the cooperation in accounting, legal services, logistics, exhibition, financing and consulting. Guangdong will continue to develop its manufacturing as Hong Kong further expands its service industry.

PEOPLE'S LIVELIHOOD

Both two sides will strengthen food safety cooperation according to the Framework Agreement on Exchanges and Cooperation in Food Safety signed in April this year. Food source monitoring will also be increased. Hong Kong and Guangdong officials said they will enhance cooperation in epidemic disease prevention and treatment based on the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Public Health Incidents Agreement signed in June this year.

Moreover, both two sides will enhance environmental protection by aiming for 2010 emission reduction targets. The special panel monitoring the Pearl River Delta (PRD) region's air quality has a completed Implementation Framework for the Emission Trading Pilot Scheme for Thermal Power Plants, which enables participating power plants to seek partners for emissions trade from this year. The PRD Regional Air Quality Monitoring Network report will be announced by this fall and a mid-term review on the PRD Regional Air Quality Management Plan will start by the end of this year.

TRANSPORTATION AND CHECKPOINTS

The two neighbours will speed up joint infrastructure projects.

The Shenzhen-Hong Kong West Cor-ridor will finish construction on July 1, 2007, while assessing and the planning works of the East Corridor (Liantang-Xiangyuanwei Customs) is accelerated.

The research of checkpoint locations for the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge will be launched soon as the financing scheme of the bridge is under study. After the research is complete, a general construction plan of the bridge will be submitted to central government for examination and approval.

The Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong Express Rail construction will be accelerated.

Other new cross-border transportation services include helicopters and a Dongguan Changping-Hong Kong Hung Hom cargo express rail.

The cooperation of Hong Kong International Airport and Zhuhai Airport has been approved by the central government earlier this year. Hong Kong will soon involve in the operation of Zhuhai Airport.

The two neighbours worked to issue an automatic highway payment card, dubbed as "Yuetong Card", to Hong Kong drivers by August 2006.

Improving a checkpoint network and service is another key aspect in bilateral cooperation. By the end of 2006, the Dongguan Liaobu Vehicle Checkpoint will be put into operation. This new checkpoint will use a quick-past mode and improve efficiency. In the first half of 2007, a new checkpoint connecting Shenzhen Futian and Hong Kong Lok Ma Chau will be open to public.

Also, Governor Huang Huahua and Chief Executive Donald Tsang will co-lead a delegation to promote economic and trade cooperation in France this November. This will not only benefit Guangdong and Hong Kong, but also bring business opportunities for both the GPRD and even the Pan-Pearl River Delta region.

Finally, the two sides will also step up cooperation in technology, education, and culture.   

MEASURES OF GUANGDONG AND HONG KONG FOR IMPROVING AIR QUALITY

Guangdong

-- No new coal or oil-fired power plants in the Pearl River Delta region
-- Use liquefied natural gas for power generation
-- Retrofit flue gas desulphurization systems to power plants and complete major works for large-scale generating units by 2008
-- Speed up the introduction of National III vehicle emission standards in Guangzhou and Shenzhen
-- Ban leaded petrol

Hong Kong

-- Introduce Euro IV vehicle emission standards for newly registered vehicles
-- Require power companies to reduce emissions and increase the use of natural gas
-- Impose caps on total emissions of power companies and complete the drafting of a new regulation for controlling volatile organic compound emissions

Editor: Yan