XN000022-1996-02-14 — Page 35

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"Shenzhen - Hong Kong convergence" concept

Following is a question by the Hon Allen Lee Peng-fei and a written reply by the Financial Secretary, the Hon Donald Tsang, in the Legislative Council today (Wednesday):

Question:

The economic development and people's livelihood between Hong Kong and the Shenzhen and Zhuhai Special Economic Zones in Guangdong Province in China are becoming increasingly closer, and there are reports that the officials in Shenzhen have drawn up a proposal on economic co-operation between Shenzhen and Hong Kong advocating the so-called "Shenzhen - Hong Kong convergence" concept. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council whether:

(a) it is aware of the details of the above-mentioned proposal and whether it knows of the "Shenzhen-Hong Kong convergence" concept; if so, whether the Government has discussed the proposal with the Chinese officials; and

(b) it has discussed the comprehensive and long-term economic co-operation between Hong Kong and Shenzhen/Zhuhai with the officials in Shenzhen and Zhuhai or other Chinese officials; if so, what are the details?

1

Reply:

The Hong Kong Government has not received any report or proposal from the Chinese side on the subject of "Shenzhen - Hong Kong convergence", nor has the subject been raised with us by Chinese officials. No discussion of such a report has taken place between the Government and the Chinese side.

We believe it is essential to maintain a high level of economic co-operation between Hong Kong and the neighbouring regions in Guangdong Province. We pursue this fully. For example, the Hong Kong Government plays an active part in developing the border liaison network with relevant authorities in Guangdong Province. More recently, the Infrastructure Co-ordinating Committee (ICC), brings together senior officials on both sides to co-ordinate the development of cross-border road, bridge, marine channel and railway projects, as well as air traffic control and airspace management in the Pearl River Delta. However, there has been no focused discussion on comprehensive and long-term economic co-operation between Hong Kong and Shenzhen/Zhuhai,