Think tank seeks HK-Guangdong co-operation on national plans
The Hong Kong and Guangdong governments should jointly contribute proposals to the nation's next five-year development blueprint, a high-level think tank says.
The idea was among 47 proposals on co-operation in a report released yesterday by the Greater Pearl River Delta Business Council.
The council's report says the two governments can jointly submit concrete proposals to the central authorities with a view to elevating Hong Kong-Guangdong co-operation to the level of national strategy and having relevant proposals incorporated into the national 12th five-year plan.
'The genuine co-operation between the two places under the premise of reciprocity will generate new contributions for the country,' it reads.
Last year, Chief Executive Donald Tsang Yam-kuen said he hoped a framework for co-operation between Hong Kong and Guangdong would be included in the 12th five-year plan.
The council suggested that the Pearl River Delta adopt unified environmental standards higher than those in force nationally.
'It is necessary to achieve progressively the uniform use of vehicle fuel and emission standards higher than the national standard,' the report reads.
It suggests that establishing a joint air-quality monitoring mechanism covering Hong Kong, Macau and Guangdong would help improve quality of life. On ways to improve cross-border transport, the council said the Hong Kong and Guangdong governments should increase the number of 24-hour border crossings as soon as possible to accommodate the increase in travellers.
One-stop customs clearance services and more electronic clearance channels should also be provided to enhance efficiency, it said.
The report is the last from the council before its two-year term ends on Sunday.
Tsang welcomed the council's suggestions. The chief executive said active participation by the private sector was crucial to the continued development of both Hong Kong and Guangdong.
