Guangdong, Hong Kong, Macao to coordinate on cooperation zones

Officials from China's Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao said on Thursday that they will join hands in implementing plans for developing cooperation zones.

China's central authorities have recently issued a general plan for building a Guangdong-Macao in-depth cooperation zone and a new plan for further developing a Shenzhen-Hong Kong cooperation zone.

The government of China's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) welcomes the Shenzhen-Hong Kong plan, said Lee Ka-chiu, chief secretary for administration of the HKSAR government.

Lee said the HKSAR government is confident in leveraging the institutional advantage brought by the "one country, two systems" principle, adding that the HKSAR will participate in developing the modern service industry of the cooperation zone to explore growing space for its professional-service business.

Cheong Weng Chon, secretary for administration and justice of the Macao SAR, also said the regional government welcomes the Guangdong-Macao plan, and is grateful to the central authorities.

Cheong said the zone will become a new platform to boost Macao's appropriate economic diversification, a new space that makes the lives and work of Macao residents more convenient, a new model to enrich the practice of "one country, two systems," as well as a new high-ground for building the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.

The two zones bring new major historical opportunities for the reform and development of Guangdong Province in the new development stage, said Lin Keqing, executive vice governor of the province.

The State Council Information Office holds a news conference on the development of Hengqin in Zhuhai and Qianhai in Shenzhen. Here are highlights of the news conference:

Cong Liang, vice-chairman of the National Development and Reform Commission and vice-chairman of the office of the leading group for the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area

- Hengqin plan is focused on promoting diversified development of Macao

- Qianhai plan is focused on expanding existing zone and further opening-up

- Hengqin plan includes developing sci-tech research and development and high-end manufacturing, traditional Chinese medicine and other Macao signature businesses, culture and tourism, conventions and exhibitions, modern finance

- Expansion of Qianhai zone will help create greater space for reform and opening-up, innovation

Xu Hongcai, vice-minister of finance

- Ministry of Finance has adopted special tax policies, provided fiscal support for development of Hengqin

Pan Gongsheng, deputy governor of the People's Bank of China, administrator of the State Administration of Foreign Exchange

- China's central bank issued policy on financial support for Greater Bay Area, adopted 26 financial reform measures

- Hong Kong remains a global financial center

- Hong Kong will strengthen connectivity with mainland

Zou Zhiwu, vice-minister of the General Administration of Customs of China

- Central government plan details customs supervision to facilitate exports, improve people's livelihood

Lin Keqing, executive vice-governor of Guangdong

- Hengqin GDP, infrastructure and innovation have seen rapid development over past 10 years

- Guangdong has been creating employment opportunities, supporting businesses from Hong Kong and Macao

Qin Weizhong, Shenzhen mayor

- Qianhai zone has made progress in modern services sector, with Hong Kong businesses opening in area

John Lee Ka-chiu, chief secretary for administration of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government

- Qianhai plan about promoting high-level opening-up, innovation development of modern services

- Qianhai plan will continue to boost cooperation between Hong Kong and Shenzhen

- Hong Kong welcomes Qianhai plan and presence of young people in development zones

Cheong Weng Chon, secretary for administration and justice of the Macao Special Administrative Region government

- Hengqin plan is aimed at promoting diversified development of Macao's economy, enrich "one country, two systems"

- Hengqin first step by Macao to further integrate with mainland

(Xinhua, China Daily)