Zhang Chunxian, Minister, Ministry of Communications

Zhang Chunxian, Minister, Ministry of Communications, maps out the strategy of Pan-PRD communications networks in his speeches on the opening day of PPRD forum.

Zhang says, Ministry of Communications will work with '9+2' members and promote the bi- and multi-literal flow in capital, technology, human resource, information and labors in communications network construction and lay a solid foundation for the growth of modern logistics industry in Pan Pearl River Delta.

The 9 mainland provinces/regions play an important part in road and waterway transportation in the country. In the year 2003, the passenger volume of the region accounts for 96% of that of the whole country, and the goods transportation 89%.

To meet the demand for closer trade cooperation within the regions, a sophisticated road and waterway network is to be built, with cross-regional highways, inland waterways and construction of harbors as the key projects.

Roads: At present, the highways put into use in Pan Pearl River Delta adds up to 715 thousand kms, or 40% of that of China, with 10-thousand-km expressways. The density of highways here doubles the country's average. Within PPRD, there are 8 state-level trunk ways, with planned length of 12 thousand kms, 75% of which are finished with daily traffic volume over 13,000 autos.
The blueprint of Pan Pearl River Delta communications network construction includes 22 lines of highways. The network will better the south China's connection with eastern, northern and northwestern China. The network in the scheme, with Guangzhou and Hong Kong as its core, radiates to both inland and coastline areas. The road connection between Guangzhou and Shenzhen/Hong Kong, Guangzhou and Zhuhai/Macao will be strengthened. With Guangzhou as the center, the network will link Shenzhen, Hong Kong, Macao, Zhuhai, Zhongshan, Foshan, Dongguan together. The HK-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge under planning will better Hong Kong's economic radiation towards the west bank of Pearl River. This will bring Pearl River Delta's economic radiating ability into full play, and confirm Hong Kong's role as the international air logistic hub.

Under the economic globalization, the establishment of Sino-ASEAN free trade zone becomes a spotlight in Asian economic cooperation. We plan to connect all customs of Guangxi and Yunnan, which will provide a new way for PPRD to explore international market.

Inland waterway: the 9 Pan Pearl River Delta mainland members own much inland waterways, which mainly belongs to Pearl River. The operating waterways add up to 18,000 km, 13.5% of that of China.

The Pearl River Delta inland waterway is characterized by its large container handling volume. It is one of the most important part linking Hong Kong and Guangdong's economic cooperation.

The key point for future development lies in speeding up the construction of Xijiang River waterway and the reopening of Hongshui river waterway so as to provide an inland waterway connecting with sea for southwest areas as Yunnan, Guizhou and Guangxi. This will also enhance the radiation of Pearl River Delta towards the just mentioned southwest areas. Another project is to better the waterways in Pearl River Delta so as to lower the container transportation cost and to boost the development of HK as an international air cargo handling center and the economic growth of PPRD. Through these projects, the transportation ability of inland waterways in Pearl River Delta is estimated to rise by over 30%.

Sea Ports: 9 out of 20 key seaports in China locate in PPRD region. Hong Kong has been ranking 1st in container handling volume in the world for 5 successive years. The coordinating mechanism set up by mainland and Hong Kong will continue to exert influence on the planning of infrastructure and logistic project construction. And Central government will continue to support Hong Kong in maintenance of the position as international transportation hub.

Editor: Catherine