Friendly neighbours: Chief Executive Tung Chee Hwa says Hong Kong and Guangdong are working closely together to make the Pearl River Delta the most vibrant economic zone in the world.

The Central Government has attached great importance to bolstering Hong Kong-Guangdong economic ties and supports our economic development, the Chief Executive says.

Officiating at the Shenzhen Western Corridor foundation-stone laying ceremony in Shenzhen today, Tung Chee Hwa said Vice Premier Zeng Peiyan's presence at the ceremony has fully demonstrated the Central Government's support.

New road link beneficial to HK and Guangdong
Mr Tung said he was grateful that Mr Zeng had flown from Beijing to officiate at the ceremony.

Mr Zeng said the State Council appointed him to partake in the event in support of the two jurisdictions' co-operation, adding that the early and speedy construction of the new road link will be mutually beneficial to both Hong Kong and Guangdong.

Mr Tung said the Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement and the Sixth Plenary of the HK/Guangdong Co-operation Joint Conference have helped strengthen the two cities' relationship.

The new fourth boundary crossing will connect Shekou in Shenzhen and the western part of Hong Kong. Opening to traffic in 2005, it will have a capacity of about 80,000 vehicles daily, the largest road crossing in Hong Kong.

Together with the existing three road crossings, which can cater to 42,000 vehicles a day, the total cross-boundary road traffic capacity will increase to 122,000 vehicles daily.

Apart from the new road link, Hong Kong and Guangdong will also pursue the proposed Shenzhen Tonggu Waterway, Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge and Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong Express Rail Link.

Mr Tung said the projects aim to make the Pearl River Delta region the most vibrant and competitive economic zone in the world in 10 to 20 years. They will also be conducive to logistics and tourism.

The Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge Advance Work Co-ordination Group will meet tomorrow to discuss how to expedite the implementation of this mutually beneficial infrastructure project.

Speaking after returning from Shenzhen, Mr Tung said he talked to Vice Premier Zeng on a number of issues, including Hong Kong's economic development.

Mr Tung said that Mr Zeng is optimistic about Hong Kong's future as he believes we will benefit from the strong economic development on the Mainland and in the US.

Mr Tung also said Mainland authorities fully support a range of cross-boundary infrastructure projects, including the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge.

Mr Zeng told Mr Tung that the Central Government will give its backing to the construction of an express railway between Hong Kong and Guangdong if both places agree there is a need to build it.