Hong Kong to intensify maritime cooperation with Shanghai

Check out these initial plans.

According to a report, Chief Executive CY Leung said the Government will study how Hong Kong and Shanghai, two maritime centres, can co-operate.

Concluding his visit after touring the Shanghai Shipping Exchange, Mr Leung said Shanghai is an important maritime centre, and the Central Government has said that it will support Hong Kong in reinforcing and strengthening its status as an international centre for finance, trade and maritime affairs.

He said the Hong Kong Government attaches importance to opportunities in the Mainland for Hong Kong people and enterprises, and will support them and satisfy their needs as far as possible.

Mr Leung addressed the 2nd Annual Urban Land Institute Asia Pacific Summit this morning. Many high-level people attended the summit, reflecting Hong Kong’s important roles in the country’s development in professional services, knowledge and information.

He also visited the Bridge 8 creative industry park. Hong Kong people had developed the idea of the park and invested in the project, he said. It was a new and successful attempt by Hong Kong people to participate in the development of Shanghai and other Mainland cities, he said.

Mr Leung said the YK Pao School showed that apart from commercial activities, Hong Kong people can participate in the country’s development by introducing the education philosophy and practices from Hong Kong and other parts of the world to the Mainland.

He also attended a luncheon and met people who work, live and do business in Shanghai. He said Shanghai and other Mainland cities' development have led to many opportunities for Hong Kong people, including young people and middle-aged professionals.

During a meeting before the luncheon, some people suggested expanding the Hong Kong-Mainland Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement’s pilot measures in service sectors in the Pearl River Delta to the Yangtze River Delta, also. He said he had suggested it in his Policy Address and sought the Central Government's consent. He hoped this would widen opportunities for Hong Kong people.

The Government will also continue to work on mutual recognition of professional qualifications between Hong Kong and the Mainland, he said.

Mr Leung said he met CPC Shanghai Municipal Committee Secretary Han Zheng yesterday, adding Hong Kong and Shanghai are 'brothers and sisters' and can complement each other. He hoped the two cities will have greater co-operation in the future.