Hong Kong, Guangdong and Macau should work together to build a system of co-ordinated and sustainable world-class townships which are vibrant, energetic and globally competitive, a study says.

The Development Bureau and Planning Department today held a joint seminar in Macau with Guangdong's Department of Construction and Macau's Secretariat for Transport & Public Works to promulgate the outcome of the Planning Study on the Co-ordinated Development of the Greater Pearl River Delta Townships.

The three jurisdictions commissioned the study, conducted by Peking University and the Guangdong Urban & Regional Planning & Design Institute.

The department said it is the first strategic planning study the three governments have jointly undertaken to formulate a regional development strategy by taking a forward-looking perspective to consider the opportunities and constraints of the Greater Pearl River Delta region under the One Country, Two Systems framework.

Through better resource utilisation, environmental protection and development of transport infrastructure, the strategy will improve the environment, enhance living quality, ensure sustainable development and strengthen the overall competitiveness of the region, the department said.

The study suggested Hong Kong further enhance its position as an international metropolis and develop into one of the world's most important centres of modern service industries and a global city with quality living standards.

It said the delta region should be developed into a world-class base of advanced manufacturing and modern service industries, and an important economic centre of China, while Macau should become the world's most attractive tourism and recreation centre, and commercial and trading services platform.

To achieve these objectives the study suggests a number of co-operation proposals in cross-boundary transportation, development of cross-boundary areas, ecological and environmental protection, and co-ordination mechanisms, to boost co-ordinated development.

The study will serve as an outline strategic analysis for the three governments' reference in formulating regional co-operation and cross-boundary policies. The three places have started discussion on some of the recommendations.