"9+2" Join Hands to Promote Regional Cooperation at a Higher Level

A Good Move Animates a Whole Chessboard; A Good Idea Stimulates Effective, Far-reaching Practice

The PPRD Regional Cooperation Framework Agreement was signed at the conclusion of the first Pan-Pearl River Delta (PPRD) Regional Cooperation and Development Forum on June 3, 2004 in Guangzhou. The agreement marks formal commencement of the "9+2" regional cooperation, and a breakthrough in China's regional cooperation. At its conclusion, Zhong Yangsheng, director of the forum organizing committee and executive vice governor of Guangdong Province, confirmed that the forum had reached a consensus, established a new mechanism, created a development strategy and created and explored a new mode of regional development and cooperation.

Exploration and Research Achieves Common Understanding

Zhang Dejiang, member of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Chinese Communist Party and secretary of the CPC Committee of Guangdong Province, elaborated on the background, ideas, principles, significance and future of PPRD regional cooperation and development. Relevant state departments -- the State Development and Reform Commission, Ministry of Commerce, Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council, Ministry of Railways, Ministry of Communications, National Tourism Administration and Development Research Center of the State Council -- showed their full support and raised constructive suggestions. "9+2" governmental executives reached a consensus as regards strengthening regional cooperation and expressed confidence in its future. Combining theory and practice with emphasis on the latter, they clarified the ideas, pivot, and main measures of PPRD regional cooperation. All these measures formed a solid basis for advancing cooperation and creating a future together, marking a new stage in PPRD cooperation. Representatives of industry and academia have explored the theory and practice of PPRD regional cooperation and industrial development and enhanced the general understanding of this concept. Representatives at the forum agreed that "9+2" regional cooperation and development is a great leap forward from the perspective of economic globalization and rapid economic cooperation and development. It is a feasible, far-sighted and fundamentally scientific decision, a theoretical and practical innovation of great significance, and represents the common aspirations of "9+2" governments. Promotion of PPRD regional cooperation is of great significance to the scope of development in all eight provinces, one autonomous region, Hong Kong and Macao, in terms of expediting CEPA and strengthening social and economic development in Hong Kong and Macao.

The Framework Agreement and Relevant Fields of Cooperation

The PPRD Regional Cooperation Framework Agreement was ceremonially signed by leaders of the "9+2" governments upon conclusion of the first forum. In line with state strategy to promote regional cooperation, the agreement sets out its principles of adhering to regional coordination, sustainable development, "one country, two systems," and mutual respect, complementation and benefit, and promotion of regional cooperation according to market laws. It also states the cooperative principles of voluntary participation, market orientation, openness and mutual complementation and benefit. Fields of cooperation specified in the agreement are those of infrastructure, industry and investment, commerce and trade, tourism, agriculture, human resources, information construction, environmental protection, hygiene and epidemic prevention. A coordinative mechanism has also been set up in order to ensure cooperation. The agreement constitutes guaranteed PPRD regional cooperation, and formulation of a wide-ranging, multi-layered, comprehensive new pattern. It is a document integral to promoting PPRD regional cooperation and development.

Establishing a Cooperative Mechanism and Guaranteeing Effective Cooperation

Three mechanisms and two important platforms have been established. They are: a coordinated, decision-making, organizing and executing mechanism represented by a governmental leaders' joint conference for examining and deciding upon regional cooperation projects and promoting cooperation; a government secretary-general coordination system to promote specific significant regional cooperation and make cooperation development plans; and a departmental communications mechanism to expedite specific cooperation plans; and two important platforms are: a working system that guarantees efficient operation of the coordination mechanism; and according to consultation among participants, the PPRD regional cooperation and development forum and PPRD trade fair to be held annually and in turn.

Enhancing Cooperation with State Department Support

A development plan and strategy was proposed at the forum for overall development of the PPRD region and certain industries. The State Development and Reform Commission, Ministry of Commerce, Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council, Ministry of Railways, Ministry of Communications, National Tourism Administration, Development Research Center of the State Council all expressed full support and proposed specific suggestions regarding business and trade, communications, railways and tourism. The State Development and Reform Commission confirmed that enhancing regional cooperation is a major aspect of the Eleventh Five-Year Plan, and that regional development will be a priority within the state planning system. The country as a whole will support PPRD in order to strengthen port infrastructure administration, speed up construction of large-scale cross-provincial infrastructure, and optimize the port, highway and railway transportation networks. At the same time, coordinatal viilization of electric power and other energy resources, minerals and raw materials will be strengthened. The Ministry of Commerce put forward specific requirements and measures on promoting and executing the CEPA. It will support and promote a unified, open and efficient PPRD market operation mechanism. The Ministry of Communications plans to construct a 30,000-kilometer highway network, and complement the Pearl River Delta "three-vertical and three-horizontal" skeleton inland river navigation-route through sea-routes to the Southwestern regions of Yunnan, Guizhou and Guangxi. In addition, ports will be constructed within PPRD to form a developed integrative PPRD transportation network connecting east and central China and peripheral neighboring countries. The Ministry of Railways attaches great importance to railway development in the PPRD and has improved route programming, equipment and transportation quality and capacity. The 29,000-kilometer PPRD railway network greatly shortens travel time between major cities. National Tourism Administration will spare no effort in promoting PPRD cooperation and development of tourism and formulating a PPRD tourism association. The state support has further complemented the concept of "9+2" governmental cooperation and development.

Implementing the Strategy and Exploring Cooperation Modes

A new mainland-Hong Kong-Macao regional cooperative mode was created at the forum. It will operate according to the principles of voluntary participation, central governmental support, inter-action on all levels, project initiation, overall impetus, step-by-step implementation and an integrated launch. The new mode also adheres to the principles of mutual benefit, proactive participation, observance of market laws and agreements promoting cooperation. The PPRD new mode will expedite and achieve the central government's concept of scientific development and strategy of regional coordinated development to effect East-Central-West China mutual implementation, promotion, and benefit by means of a new economic pattern.

Highlighting Key Media Reporting to Optimize Forum Influence

The forum has aroused extensive media and public attention at home and abroad. The press highlighted the forum's fundamental theme of promoting "9+2" cooperation and development, promoting Hong Kong's and Macao's prosperity and stability, accelerating the modernization drive on the mainland and creating a future together. CEPA improvements and achievements and the significance to Hong Kong and Macao of PPRD regional cooperation were also stressed. Regional cooperation and development is the common aspiration of the "9+2" regions. It is both important and necessary to develop regional cooperation in order to open wider to domestic and overseas markets and expand regional development space. Press reports also mentioned close business and trade cooperation that will bring about future benefits for the mainland, Hong Kong and Macao. PPRD regional cooperation and development was further publicized through publications and broadcasts. The forum opened in Hong Kong, and speeches made in Hong Kong and Macao made clear mainland support for Hong Kong and Macao, thereby strengthening public confidence in their future. It is clear that the forum will also bring about non-governmental economic cooperation and exchanges; that PPRD regional cooperation will generate a new upsurge; and that Hong Kong and Macao will have more development space and new impetus.

The forum represents a prelude to PPRD regional cooperation. A good move activates the whole chessboard; a good idea stimulates effective, far-reaching practice. The PPRD Regional Cooperation Framework Agreement signed, regional cooperation will operate on a higher level and a pattern of mutual benefit and common prosperity will gradually form. The eyes of the world are on "9+2" regional cooperation. Much is anticipated and there is far more to come.