HONG KONG - Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), Carrie Lam, and the governor of Guangdong province, Ma Xingrui, signed the 2020 Work Plan of the Framework Agreement on Hong Kong/Guangdong Co-operation (2020 Work Plan) in the form of an exchange of letters on Friday to jointly take forward 57 measures covering eight major areas on the basis of complementarity and mutual benefit.

A government spokesperson said that the direction and objectives of the 2020 Work Plan continue to be the implementation of the Outline Development Plan for the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and the further deepening of the cooperation between Hong Kong and Guangdong.

The 2020 Work Plan covers a diverse range of issues in eight major areas, namely cross-boundary infrastructure development and customs clearance facilitation; joint development of an international innovation and technology hub; fostering cooperation in modern service industries (including cooperation in the financial services sector and professional services, as well as cultural and tourism cooperation); taking forward cooperation in education, talents and youth matters; developing an internationalized business environment; joint development of a quality living circle; joint participation in the Belt and Road Initiative; and taking forward the development of key cooperation platforms.

The 57 measures in the 2020 Work Plan are the outcome of discussions between the governments of the HKSAR and Guangdong. The measures aim to further facilitate exchanges between residents of Hong Kong and Guangdong, improve the quality of living of the people of the two places, take forward developments in innovation and technology, as well as strengthen cooperation in various sectors and industries, thereby contributing to the joint endeavor of Hong Kong and Guangdong to support and lead the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area in the economic development and opening up of the country.

"The government of the HKSAR will cooperate with the Guangdong provincial government as soon as possible to implement the measures in the 2020 Work Plan and to proactively take forward the development of the Greater Bay Area," the spokesperson said.

Hong Kong and Guangdong, upon receiving approval from the State Council, signed the Framework Agreement on Hong Kong/Guangdong Co-operation in 2010, establishing a clear co-operation mechanism for the two sides. The Outline Development Plan promulgated by the central government in February, 2019 signified a new milestone in Hong Kong-Guangdong cooperation under the framework of the development of the Greater Bay Area.