Closer ties: Secretary for Housing, Planning & Lands Michael Suen witnesses Guangdong Provincial Department of Construction Director Lao Yingxun and Permanent Secretary for Housing, Planning & Lands Rita Lau exchange documents at the signing ceremony.

Hong Kong and Guangdong will jointly conduct a strategic regional study on town planning, Secretary for Housing, Planning & Lands Michael Suen says.

Through the study, both sides can work together to enhance the sustainable development of the Greater Pearl River Delta and to make the region one of the most vibrant townships in the world.

Guangdong Provincial Government Deputy Secretary General Tang Hao pointed out the co-operation agreement signifies that the Greater PRD Planning Study has entered a concrete working stage. It also marks a substantive step forward for both sides in the enhanced co-operation on town-planning matters.

Forward-looking strategy

The study is one of the important programmes in the co-operation between Guangdong and Hong Kong. It aims to formulate a city and regional development strategy by taking a forward-looking perspective to consider and analyse the development approach of the Greater PRD under the 'one country, two systems' framework.

By making use of resources development, environmental protection and the development of city and transport, it aims to improve the regional environment, to enhance living quality and to ensure the sustainable development of the Greater PRD and improve the overall international competitiveness of the area, while building a vibrant international township.

Peking University and Guangdong Urban & Rural Planning & Design Institute will undertake the study, which is expected to be completed in two years. Results and recommendations will become references for Guangdong and Hong Kong in formulating their regional planning and cross-boundary infrastructure projects.

More details of the study are available here.