Press Releases

     The 6th Pan-Pearl River Delta (PPRD) Regional Cooperation and Development Forum (PPRD Forum) is being held in Fuzhou, Fujian on August 27 - 29. On behalf of the Chief Executive, Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs Stephen Lam led a 12-member delegation of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government to attend. Under the theme of "Cooperative Development for a Better Future", the PPRD provinces/regions discuss how to further deepen PPRD regional cooperation and development at this critical juncture when the nation is endeavouring to speed up the transformation of its mode of economic development.

     On behalf of the Chief Executive, Mr Stephen Lam delivered a speech entitled "Leveraging Hong Kong's strengths to promote industrial development in the PPRD region" at the PPRD Forum, focusing in particular on how the HKSAR can complement the macro national policy of economic transformation and promote PPRD regional cooperation by attracting the PPRD provinces/regions to further leverage Hong Kong's various advantages. Mr Stephen Lam highlighted four areas where Hong Kong can play a prominent role – financial services, modern services industry, modern manufacturing industry and cooperation with Taiwan.

     On financial services cooperation, "Further consolidation of Hong Kong's status as an international financial centre will help the nation to dovetail with the international financial market. From the macro perspective, Hong Kong can be utilised as a testing ground for national financial reform with a view to promoting national financial security and assisting the nation to better manage the possible risk associated with the internationalisation of Renminbi," Mr Lam said.

     Hong Kong can also play an important role in propelling the development of modern services industry in the region. To meet the challenge of globalisation, apart from the four pillar industries, Hong Kong is endeavouring to develop six new industries. The industrial structure of the PPRD region can be rationalised and improved by joining hands with Hong Kong to develop energy-efficient and high-value-added modern services industry, leveraging Hong Kong's strengths of open market, distinguished talents, as well as highly developed international network, infrastructure, and other supporting facilities and services.

     Hong Kong may also contribute to the development of modern manufacturing industry. The HKSAR Government has implemented a number of measures to support the upgrading and relocation of Hong Kong processing trade in the Pearl River Delta region, such as setting up an expert study group with the Guangdong Government and concerned trades, organising Hong Kong business delegations to study the potential of target relocation destinations in the PPRD region, and organising seminars on related topics. On the other hand, Hong Kong has been the biggest source of investment in the Mainland. The further opening up and rationalisation of industrial structure in the Mainland have opened up unprecedentedly tremendous opportunities for Hong Kong investors, including investment projects on modern manufacturing industry.    

     Stepping up co-operation with Taiwan is a key area of discussion in this year's PPRD Forum. Mr Lam said, "the HKSAR Government will continue to strengthen interflow and cooperation with Taiwan on the basis of the existing mechanisms, including the Hong Kong – Taiwan Economic and Cultural Co-operation and Promotion Council, Taiwan – Hong Kong Economic and Cultural Co-operation Council (ECCC), Hong Kong – Taiwan Business Co-operation Committee and Taiwan's Economic Co-operation Committee under the ECCC. Last year, the State Council declared the "Economic Zone on the Western side of the Taiwan" as a pilot economic zone for cooperation and exchanges with Taiwan. Hong Kong will utilise this new platform to foster closer relations with Taiwan, Fujian and the nearby PPRD provinces.

     Mr Lam said, "we will continue to make the best use of all relevant platforms such as the PPRD regional cooperation and CEPA to foster closer cooperation with the PPRD partners, with a view to contributing to regional and national development."

     Mr Stephen Lam will attend the PPRD Regional Cooperation Chief Executives' Joint Conference tomorrow (August 29) and discuss with other PPRD leaders the direction and major initiatives of future cooperation.

     Other members of the HKSAR Government delegation include the Commissioner for Tourism, Mr Philip Yung, Acting Permanent Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury (Financial Services), Mr Cheng Yan-chee.

Ends/Saturday, August 28, 2010

SCMA attends 6th PPRD Forum (1)

The Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs, Mr Stephen Lam, attends the opening and signing ceremony of the "Sixth Pan-Pearl River Delta Regional Co-operation and Development Forum and Economic and Trade Fair" (PPRD Forum) at Fuzhou International Conference and Exhibition Center this morning (August 28).

SCMA attends 6th PPRD Forum (2)

Mr Lam is pictured with the leaders of the governments of the nine Pan-Pearl River Delta provinces and the Macao Special Administrative Region and guests attending the High-Level Forum at Fuzhou International Conference and Exhibition Center this morning.

SCMA attends 6th PPRD Forum (3)

Mr Lam addresses the sixth High-Level Forum on PPRD Regional Co-operation and Development at Fuzhou International Conference and Exhibition Center this morning.

SCMA attends 6th PPRD Forum (4)

Mr Lam (right) meets with the Vice Governor of Sichuan Province, Mr Li Cheungyun, in Fuzhou this afternoon to exchange views on issues of common concern.

SCMA attends 6th PPRD Forum (5)

Mr Lam speaks to the media in Fuzhou this afternoon.

SCMA attends 6th PPRD Forum (6)

Mr Lam (right) meets with the Vice Governor of Hunan Province, Mr Chen Zhaoxiong, in Fuzhou today to discuss issues of mutual concern.