14 Constitution and Administration
Article 22 of the Basic Law states that no department of the CPG and no province, autonomous region, or municipality directly under the Central Government may interfere in the affairs of Hong Kong which the HKSAR administers on its own in accordance with the Basic Law.
The Constitutional Affairs Bureau was renamed Constitutional and Mainland Affairs Bureau (CMAB) on July 1, 2007 to reflect more clearly one of the bureau's key functions: co-ordinating and promoting close ties and co-operation with the Mainland. The bureau's Mainland Affairs Liaison Office is responsible for co-ordinating contacts between the HKSAR Government and the Mainland authorities, as well as promoting regional co-operation initiatives between Hong Kong and the Mainland. It also oversees the running of Hong Kong Government's Mainland offices.
As the province closest to Hong Kong, Guangdong has the most extensive ties with the HKSAR. Since 1982, the Cross-boundary Liaison System has provided an effective mechanism for Hong Kong and Guangdong to discuss and resolve issues of mutual concern, such as cross-boundary crime and observance of Shenzhen River regulations.
In August, Hong Kong and Guangdong reviewed progress made under the Hong Kong/Guangdong Co-operation Joint Conference (Joint Conference) and discussed the way forward. They agreed to further enhance co-operation in matters closely related to people's livelihood, such as cross-boundary infrastructure and boundary control points, the environment, food safety, tourism, culture, sports and social welfare.
Hong Kong and Shenzhen too, attach great importance to working closely with each other. The two sides agreed at the co-operation meeting in November to press ahead developing the boundary area, improving airport facilities, encouraging innovation and technology and other matters beneficial to people of both sides. Recent examples include the construction of a new boundary control point at Liantang/Heung Yuen Wai and the development of the Lok Ma Chau Loop, as well as provision of assistance at municipal level to Hong Kong companies having difficulty running their businesses in Shenzhen. Moreover, the Hong Kong airport authorities and their counterparts in Shenzhen have been working closely with each other. All these co-operation initiatives have been carried out smoothly, facilitating people and cargo flow between the two cities.
The Greater Pearl River Delta Business Council is a platform for the private sector to discuss issues related to Hong Kong/Guangdong co-operation and to foster closer economic co-operation within the Greater Pearl River Delta region. The Council has maintained close liaison with the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade Guangdong Sub Council (its counterpart in Guangdong) for exchanging views and collaboration on matters of mutual concern.
The Government continues to promote strongly the restructuring, upgrading and relocation of Hong Kong-invested factories in the Pan-Pearl River Delta (PPRD) region. During the year, the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Offices in the Mainland