Fast friends: Secretary for Home Affairs Tsang Tak-sing talks with young people from Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macau who have joined the exchange tour.

Over 100 young people from Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macau have played a role in strengthening cultural co-operation within the Greater Pearl River Delta region after participating in a nine-day youth cultural exchange tour which ends today.

Secretary for Home Affairs Tsang Tak-sing witnessed these young people complete the programme at the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Youth Cultural Tour closing ceremony in Guangzhou.

Mr Tsang hoped their pursuit in the field of culture will continue, contributing to the promotion and conservation of the culture in the three places.

"I look forward to organising more youth exchange activities in various forms in the three places, with a view to further promoting youth and cultural development," Mr Tsang added.

The 2009-2013 Greater Pearl River Delta Cultural Exchange & Co-operation Development Plan was signed in February, establishing collaboration in six areas - performing arts, cultural information, museum and relics, libraries, Cantonese opera, and cultural (creative) industries. Mr Tsang was determined to carry them forward.

The Home Affairs Bureau, Guangdong Department of Culture and Macau Tertiary Education Services Office organised the tour.

The delegation visited Noah's Ark and the Museum of History, and attended cultural seminars in Hong Kong, while in Macau, it visited the Macau Museum, Macau Grand Prix Museum, Macau Wine Museum and other heritage sites, and had exchanges with university students.

It then travelled to Guangzhou, Foshan, Zhongshan and Kaiping in Guangdong, visiting a number of museums and historical cultural spots.