Ventures Dialogue

A Framework Agreement on Hong Kong-Guangdong co-operation was signed earlier in April in Beijing. The Framework Agreement, which builds on years of close co-operation between Hong Kong and Guangdong Province, is a significant embodiment of the principle of “One Country, Two Systems”. It represents a deepening of the co-operation between the two places. It sets clear targets and development positioning for Hong Kong/Guangdong co-operation, and outlines specific polices and measures, including:

• to promote joint socio-economic development in Hong Kong and Guangdong;
• to enhance Hong Kong’s position as an international financial centre and expedite the development of financial-services industries in Guangdong;
• to capitalize on the competitiveness of Hong Kong’s service industries and Guangdong’s manufacturing industries to build an advanced global manufacturing and modern services base;
• to facilitate the flow of key factors such as people, goods, information and capital across the boundary, with a view to building an international aviation, shipping and logistics hub and a world-class modern economic circulation sphere;
• to implement a regional ecology and environment protection regime operating at a leading level by the national standards; and
• to promote collaborative development among Hong Kong and the Pearl River Delta cities to form a world-class metropolis cluster.

To achieve the objectives, Hong Kong and Guangdong have put forward specific policies and measures, and set out major initiatives for 2010.