Shenzhen pledges support

Shenzhen will help Hong Kong consolidate its position as an international finance and trade centre, according to the city government's plan for the next five years.

In its new five-year blueprint, the city government vows to work with Hong Kong on key infrastructure projects and further open up its services sector to Hong Kong business.

'Shenzhen will fully support Hong Kong to consolidate its position as a global finance, trade and transport centre. We will act as a bridge for Hong Kong business to expand into the mainland,' the plan said.

According to the blueprint, during the next five years the city will gradually remove restrictions on Hong Kong services firms that wish to set up in Shenzhen.