Trilateral ties: Henry Tang speaks after the Liaison & Co-ordinating Meeting of Hong Kong, Guangdong & Macau.

Hong Kong, Guangdong and Macau have agreed to forward the implementation of the Outline of the Plan for the Reform & Development of the Pearl River Delta, unveiled in January.

Speaking after a liaison and co-ordinating meeting today, Chief Secretary for Administration Henry Tang said the three jurisdictions have reached a consensus on the establishment of a liaison and co-ordinating mechanism.

They have formed key co-operation areas - finance, service industry, tourism, innovation and technology, infrastructure, transport and town planning, environmental protection, restructuring and upgrading of enterprises, as well as education and training.

Mr Tang said the three governments agreed to promote tourism development in the region by enhancing promotion of multi-destination itineraries.

They also proposed extending the measures which allow more Mainland residents to visit Hong Kong to other cities in Guangdong province.

Green measures

On environmental protection the three jurisdictions will team up to develop the region into a green and quality-living area.

In this regard, Mr Tang said Hong Kong can help in numerous areas, such as:

* soliciting international capital;

* transferring management experience and systems, overseas technology in energy saving, emission reduction, cleaner energy and production;

* developing the recycling industry and promoting environmental protection technology research; and,

* proposing measures to improve air quality in the region.

The three jurisdictions will ask the Central Government to consider including the concept of developing the region into a green and quality living area in the 12th five-year national plan.

On transport the three governments agreed to relax restrictions on cross-boundary private cars in phases to tie in with construction of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge.

They also agreed to strengthen co-operation in town planning and regional development.