Joining hands: Acting Shenzhen Mayor Wang Rong and Hong Kong Chief Secretary Henry Tang agree to co-operate in developing Qianhai.

Hong Kong has been asked to advise on the planning and development of Qianhai, a Shenzhen district to be developed into a modern service industry base, Chief Secretary Henry Tang says.

Speaking after the Hong Kong-Shenzhen co-operation meeting today, Mr Tang said the two sides agreed Shenzhen will have a leading role in developing and managing Qianhai. The two sides will form a joint task force led by Hong Kong's Constitutional & Mainland Affairs Bureau and Shenzhen's Executive Deputy Mayor, to discuss co-operation details.

They will garner expert advice on Qianhai's development mode, industry development, innovation policies, infrastructure, and operation and management. They will also take into account Qianhai's development in their study of the Hong Kong-Shenzhen Western Express Line.

"The two sides will pursue the Central Government's support together," Mr Tang said, adding Qianhai's development will benefit residents on both sides of the boundary.

More co-operation

The Hong Kong Economic & Trade Office in Guangdong will soon establish a Shenzhen liaison unit to bolster communication and co-operation between the two governments.

Both sides agreed to pursue the extension of the cross-border renminbi trade-settlement pilot scheme, and introduce a Hong Kong stock portfolio exchange-traded fund in the Shenzhen Stock Exchange as early as possible.

Hong Kong and Shenzhen signed seven agreements after the meeting today. Of them, three non-government schools in Shenzhen will open classes for children of Hong Kong residents living there to study in Hong Kong secondary schools. The University of Hong Kong will also co-operate with Shenzhen on innovation and technology, and establish a hospital for teaching purposes.