CE: Great potential for HK-Shenzhen cooperation

Cooperation between the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and Shenzhen over the past 40 years has been "close" and "comprehensive", and there's still "great potential" to explore, Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor said on Saturday.

She made the remarks during her visit to Shenzhen, where she led a delegation on a tour to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the country's reform and opening-up.

The 163-strong delegation includes representatives of various sectors who have made significant contributions to the country's reform and opening-up and to the SAR.

Citing the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and the development of an international technology and innovation center as examples, Lam said Hong Kong and Shenzhen have been two major partners, with the SAR having the strength in scientific research and finance, and Shenzhen its advanced manufacturing capability.

She noted that Hong Kong has made important contributions to the development of Shenzhen during the four decades of reform and opening-up, playing an indispensable role in Shenzhen's transition from a small fishing village to a bustling city.

The importance of Hong Kong to Shenzhen is reflected in the fact that the latter was the first stop of the delegation's visit, said Lam.

Wang Weizhong , secretary of the Communist Party of China's Shenzhen municipal committee, said in a meeting with Lam that Shenzhen-Hong Kong cooperation is becoming wider and deeper.

Shenzhen will step up efforts to strengthen cooperation with Hong Kong in technology and innovation, modern services, youth innovation and entrepreneurship and other areas, he said.

During their one-day stay in Shenzhen, the delegation visited the Shenzhen Reform and Opening-up Exhibition Hall in the morning, and Qianhai Exhibition Hall and the park of the Qianhai Monument in the afternoon.

Dennis Lam Shun-chiu, a member of the delegation and also director of Hong Kong-based ophthalmic services provider C-Mer Eye Care Holdings, said the country's achievements made during its 40 years of reform and opening-up are "beyond all people's imagination".

"From a manufacturing powerhouse to a high-tech pioneer, we still have much to do to further transform and upgrade our industries," he said.

"We hope people in Hong Kong, especially young people, can learn more about the country and participate more in its development, to make bigger contributions in the process."

C-Mer Eye Care is considered a major breakthrough in cross-boundary links as it allows Hong Kong doctors to practice across the boundary.

Lam Lung-on - a delegation member and chairman of Shanghai-based Yuzhou Group - said he has deep feelings for the changes that have taken place in the past four decades.

"In the late 1970s and early 1980s, there was a large gap between Shenzhen and Hong Kong in terms of living standards. But now, the two cities are both playing a leading role in building a world-class bay area," he remarked.

"Let's hope that both cities can now give play to their own strengths in the Bay Area to contribute to further economic development of the country," he added.

Meanwhile, a Macao delegation led by Macao Chief Executive Fernando Chui Sai-on also flew to Beijing on Saturday. Chui said the arrangement shows the nation's care for the Macao Special Administrative Region and the SAR will continue to play its unique role in supporting national development.

sally@chinadailyhk.com