Hong Kong, Guangdong province and Macao have agreed to forward the implementation of the Outline of the Plan for the Reform and Development of the Pearl River Delta unveiled in January.

Speaking after a liaison and coordinating meeting Thursday, Henry Tang, chief secretary for administration of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government said Hong Kong, Guangdong and Macao have reached a consensus on the establishment of a liaison and coordinating mechanism.

They have decided that their cooperation areas would include finance, service industry, tourism, innovation and technology, infrastructure, transport and town planning, environmental protection, restructuring and upgrading of enterprises, as well as education and training.

Tang said the three local governments agreed to promote tourism development in the region by enhancing promotion of multi-destination itineraries.

They also proposed expanding the arrangement which allows Shenzhen residents to make multiple visits to Hong Kong and Macao with their one-year Individual Visit Scheme endorsement to other cities in Guangdong province.

On environmental protection, the three local governments will team up to develop the region into a green and quality-living area.

They will also ask the Central Government to consider including the concept of developing the region into a green and quality living area in the 12th five-year national plan.

On transport, the three governments agreed to relax restrictions on cross-boundary private cars in phases to tie in with construction of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge.

They also agreed to strengthen cooperation in town planning and regional development.

(Xinhua News Agency February 20, 2009)