Outline of the Plan for the Reform and Development of the Pearl River Delta

National Development and Reform Commission

December 2008

CONTENTS

Foreword 1

I. Great Significance of Accelerating the Reform and Development in the Pearl River Delta 2

1. Achievements of the Reform and Development in the Past 30 Years 2

2. Challenges and Opportunities 4

3. Great Significance 7

II. General Requirements and Developmental Goals 8

1. Guiding Ideas 8

2. Strategic Positioning 10

3. Developmental Goals 12

III. Build a Modern Industrial System 15

1. Prioritize Development of Modern Service Industries 15

2. Accelerate Development of Advanced Manufacturing Industry 19

3. Vigorously Develop Hi-Tech Industries 21

4. Renovate and Upgrade Traditional Industrial with Advantages 23

5. Actively Develop Modern Agriculture 25

6. Promote Overall Competitiveness of Enterprises 27

IV. Strengthening of Capabilities of Independent Innovation 29

1. Facilitate Innovation and Translation of Core Technologies 29

2. Consolidate the Role of Enterprises as Main Players of Independent Innovation. 31

3. Build Open Regional Innovation System 32

4. Deepen National-Local Collaborative Mechanism for Innovation 34

5. Reinforce Environmental Construction for Independent Innovation 36

V. Promotion of Infrastructure Modernization 38

1. Construct Open, Modern and Integrated Transportation System 38

2. Build Clean, Safe and Reliable Energy Security System 40

3. Construct Harmonious Water Conservancy Projects 43

4. Build Convenient and Efficient Information Networks System 45

VI. Coordination of Urban and Rural Development 47

1. Enhance Administration of Urban and Rural Planning and Construction 47

2. Enhance Construction of Rural Infrastructure 48

3. Facilitate Urban and Rural Equality of Basic Public Services 50

4. Establish New Mechanism Providing Urban Assistance to Rural Areas and Industrial Subsidies to Agriculture 52

VII. Promotion of Coordinate Regional Development 54

1. Exert Demonstration Role of Major Cities 54

2. Optimize Functional Layout of Eastern Bank of Pearl River Mouth 56

3. Elevate Developmental Levels of Western Bank of Pearl River Mouth 57

4. Advance Regional Economic Integration of Pearl River Delta 59

5. Inspire Accelerated Develop of Areas Surrounding Peal River Delta 61

VIII. Enhancement of Resource Conservation and Environmental Protection 63

1. Utilize Land Efficiently and Intensively 64

2. Energetically Develop Circular Economy 65

3. Intensify Pollution Prevention and Control 67

4. Strengthen Ecological and Environmental Protection 70

IX. Expedition of Development of Social Undertakings 71

1. Prioritize Development of Education 71

2. Perfect Medical and Health Services 74

3. Complete Housing Welfare System 76

4. Improve Employment and Social insurance Systems 77

5. Construct Harmonious Culture 80

X. Creation of New System and Mechanism Advantages 83

1. Innovate Administrative System 83

2. Deepen Reform of Economic System 89

3. Advance Reform of Social Management 97

4. Advance Construction of Democratic and Legal Systems 100

5. Fully Exert Pioneering Role of Special Economic Zones in Reform and Opening Up 102

XI. Creation of New Situation for Opening-up and Cooperation 103

1. Elevate Level of Economic Openness 104

2. Engage in Closer Cooperation with Hong Kong and Macao 108

3. Elevate Levels of Cooperation with Taiwan 114

4. Deepen Cooperation of Pan Pearl River Delta Region 116

5. Enhance Cooperation with ASEAN and Other International Economic Regions 117

XII. Mechanism for Securing Plan Implementation 119

1. Strengthen Organization and Leadership 119

2. Enhance Integration and Coordination 120

3. Stiffen Supervision and Inspection 121