Meeting of Task Force on the Development of the Qianhai Shenzhen-Hong Kong Modern Service Industry Co-operation Zone held in Shenzhen (with photos)

     The Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs, Mr Erick Tsang Kwok-wai, and Vice Mayor of Shenzhen Mr Wang Shourui, leading representatives of relevant bureaux and departments of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government and the delegation of the Shenzhen Municipal Government respectively, held the first meeting of the Task Force on the Development of the Qianhai Shenzhen-Hong Kong Modern Service Industry Co-operation Zone in Shenzhen today (February 6). At the meeting, the governments of Hong Kong and Shenzhen jointly learnt of the requirements and objectives of the Central Government in regard to the Overall Development Plan for the Qianhai Shenzhen-Hong Kong Modern Service Industry Co-operation Zone (Qianhai Overall Development Plan), and exchanged views on how to further promote the development of Qianhai and deepen the collaboration between Hong Kong and Shenzhen.

     Mr Tsang remarked, "The development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) is a national strategy personally devised, personally planned and personally driven by President Xi Jinping. Qianhai is one of the major co-operation platforms in the GBA. The development of the Qianhai Shenzhen-Hong Kong Modern Service Industry Co-operation Zone (Qianhai Co-operation Zone) is an important initiative for supporting Hong Kong's social and economic development; fostering a higher level of co-operation among Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao; and establishing a new development paradigm in pursuing opening up. The HKSAR Government has all along attached great importance to the co-operation with Qianhai, and maintained close liaison with the Guangdong Provincial Government, the Shenzhen Municipal Government and the Authority of Qianhai Shenzhen-Hong Kong Modern Service Industry Co-operation Zone of Shenzhen Municipality (Qianhai Authority). Meanwhile, the HKSAR Government has continuously stepped up its efforts to support Hong Kong talent and enterprises in participating actively in the development of Qianhai and taking forward the high-quality development of the GBA.
 
     "The first meeting of the Task Force held today will lay a more solid foundation for the governments of Hong Kong and Shenzhen to jointly formulate the work of implementing the promotion of the development of Qianhai in the new era, and further enhance the high-quality co-operation between Hong Kong and Shenzhen. The HKSAR Government will continue to lead all sectors of the community proactively to fully seize the opportunities of developing the GBA together and make new and greater contributions to the high-quality development and high-level opening up of the country."
 
     Before the meeting, the delegation of the HKSAR Government visited the Qianhai Co-operation Zone, where they were briefed by the Qianhai Authority on the latest developments of Qianhai. At the meeting, a National Development and Reform Commission representative introduced the key messages of the Central Government in regard to the requirements, objectives, etc, for the implementation as well as publicity and briefing of the Qianhai Overall Development Plan. The Hong Kong and Shenzhen sides jointly learnt of the requirements, and exchanged views in earnest on how to take forward the implementation of the objectives. Both sides arrived at a strong consensus to press ahead at full steam with promoting the demonstrative and leading roles Qianhai plays in the development of the GBA, and further deepening the collaboration between Hong Kong and Shenzhen.
 
     The Qianhai Overall Development Plan provides a comprehensive coverage of the strategic positioning and development objectives, among other things, of the Qianhai Co-operation Zone. It is of vital importance to the HKSAR's active participation in the development of Qianhai and the opening up of the Mainland market through Qianhai by industries in which Hong Kong's strengths lie. It also serves as an important guide and support for the high-quality development of the GBA and better promotes Hong Kong's integration into the overall development of the country. The governments of Hong Kong and Shenzhen both undertook to continue to maintain close collaboration with relevant central ministries and commissions, and support the enhanced publicity and briefing work on the content of the Qianhai Overall Development Plan.
 
     Mr Tsang said, "Since its development and opening up, the Qianhai Co-operation Zone has always observed the principles of 'relying on Hong Kong, serving the Mainland and opening up to the world'. The Qianhai Overall Development Plan stresses the collaboration between Hong Kong and Shenzhen, as well as supporting Hong Kong in consolidating and enhancing its competitive advantages. Going forward, Hong Kong and Shenzhen will jointly enhance collaboration and, in keeping with the requirements of the Qianhai Overall Development Plan, step up efforts in promoting the development of modern service industries in the Qianhai Co-operation Zone, support Qianhai in continuing to pursue more policy breakthroughs on pilot basis, and assist Qianhai in expediting the alignment of rules and harmonisation of mechanisms, in order to contribute to the further reform and opening up."
 
     Furthermore, the Qianhai Authority of Shenzhen, Invest Hong Kong, the Hong Kong Trade Development Council and the governments of Nanshan and Bao'an Districts of Shenzhen signed a co-operation memorandum of understanding, to jointly set up the Qianhai Hong Kong Enterprises Service Centre, which will provide one-stop services for Hong Kong residents and businesses engaging in entrepreneurship, investment and living in Qianhai, Shenzhen. The Hong Kong and Shenzhen sides also witnessed the inauguration ceremony of the Qianhai Hong Kong Enterprises Service Centre and the Qianhai Hong Kong Youth Development Centre jointly set up by the Qianhai Authority and the Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups at the Qianhai Shenzhen-Hong Kong Youth Innovation and Entrepreneur Hub.
 
     Officials of the HKSAR Government attending the meeting also included the Under Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Dr Bernard Chan; the Under Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Mr Joseph Chan; the Under Secretary for Development, Mr David Lam; the Under Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs, Mr Clarence Leung; the Under Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Ms Lilian Cheong; the Commissioner for the Development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, Ms Maisie Chan; the Director-General of Investment Promotion, Ms Alpha Lau, and representatives of relevant bureaux and departments.