Official visit: Secretary for Development Carrie Lam (left) meets Ningbo Mayor Mao Guanglie.

Secretary for Development Carrie Lam introduced the challenges and opportunities arising from urbanisation in Hong Kong at the opening ceremony of 2010 Ningbo-Hong Kong Economic Co-operation Forum in Ningbo today.

The annual forum, jointly organised by the Ningbo municipal government and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, promotes trade and economic co-operation between the two cities.

With the theme of seizing new opportunities and creating new advantages, this year's forum aims to promote co-operation and exchange in regional co-operation, finance, trade and commerce, education, public health, tourism and digital animation.

More than 1,000 business leaders, academia and government officials attend the three-day forum, which will end on Wednesday.

Mrs Lam said through promoting infrastructural development and heavy investments, the Hong Kong Government has built up a solid foundation for the economy.

In recent years, public aspirations for a better quality of life had ushered in many challenges and valuable experiences in urban planning and development. These challenges included tackling air pollution, reducing the "heat island effect", reducing energy consumption, maintaining a stable and safe water supply, preventing flooding and ensuring slope safety.

In striking a balance between economic development and quality living, which have different requirements for land use, the Government will create a better living environment through reviewing development density, conducting air-ventilation assessments, promoting green building, and implementing urban renewal and harbourfront enhancement works, she said.

The Government has also launched the Total Water Management Strategy, improved the drainage systems in urban areas, formulated a flood-prevention strategy in rural areas, and implemented landslip-preventive programmes. The Government is also committed to promoting heritage conservation and revitalising historic buildings.