The Fujian provincial government in East China is considering allowing residents in some cities to visit
Hong Kong on an individual basis as part of its efforts to strengthen economic ties with the special administrative region.
Vice-Governor Ye Shuang-yu told reporters yesterday: "I believe the people of Fujian will have this opportunity very soon." He added that the move would benefit both Fujian and Hong Kong.
Speaking in Fuzhou, Stephen Ip - the
Hong Kong regional government's secretary for economic services and labor - said he welcomed the remarks and added that the issue would be addressed during meetings between officials from both sides next week.
Seven cities in South China's Guangdong Province are now allowed to travel to
Hong Kong without having to join tour groups. This is expected to further increase the number of tourists visiting
Hong Kong and thus boost its economy. The privilege will be extended to
Beijing and
Shanghai in September.
Ye and Ip were attending the launch in Fujian yesterday of the Fujian-Hong Kong Week. The event is the first major business mission from
Hong Kong to the Chinese mainland since the SARS epidemic was brought under control. It is aimed at enhancing economic co-operation between the two areas.
About 200 government officials and business people from
Hong Kong are now visiting Fujian, including Financial Secretary Henry Tang.
The Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement, a free-trade pact signed on June 29 between the mainland and Hong Kong, will help expand co-operation between Fujian and Hong Kong, said officials from both sides.
The pact initially allows a zero tariff rating on a number of
Hong Kong products exported to the mainland. It will further open up 17 areas of the mainland's service sector to
Hong Kong companies, starting from next year.
Ye said there is plenty of room for
Hong Kong businesses to help upgrade Fujian's traditional industries using advanced technology, as well as in sectors such as civil construction, transportation, environmental protection and the service sector.
Zhang Qiu, deputy director of Fujian's foreign-trade department, pledged to strengthen co-operation with
Hong Kong in financial services and logistics. He also called for closer co-operation between Fujian,
Hong Kong and Taiwan in high-tech industries.
Fujian welcomes
Hong Kong financial institutions setting up branches or offices in the province and qualified
Hong Kong banks taking shares in local banks, he said.
After visiting some logistics facilities in Fuzhou, Hong Kong's Ip said: "There are many opportunities in the logistics business in Fujian, particularly under the partnership agreement." Under the partnership agreement,
Hong Kong logistics firms will be allowed to set up wholly owned entities on the mainland.
