Chief Executive John Lee and Guangdong Governor Wang Weizhong co-chaired the 23rd Plenary of the Hong Kong/Guangdong Co-operation Joint Conference today.

The governments of Guangdong and Hong Kong signed several pacts covering innovation and technology (I&T), finance, labour, smart cities, and the regulation of pharmaceutical and medical devices.

To take I&T development in the two cities to new heights, the leaders signed two deals after the meeting, including the renewal of the Co-operation Agreement on Technology & Innovation Exchange between Guangdong & Hong Kong as well as the Co-operation Agreement between Guangdong & the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region on Co-developing a Smart City Cluster.

To promote deepened financial co-operation between both places, the Financial Services & the Treasury Bureau also signed the Agreement on Enhancing Hong Kong-Guangdong Financial Co-operation.

The meeting touched on the development of the Northern Metropolis. Both sides agreed to continue strengthening co-operation and making full use of the synergy between the Northern Metropolis and the Greater Bay Area cities in different areas.

The Chief Executive noted that both governments are striving to announce the arrangements concerning the Quota-free Scheme for Hong Kong Private Cars Travelling to Guangdong via the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge within this month. The scheme, slated to take effect within this year, is expected to enhance the bridge’s utilisation and interconnectivity within the bay area.

To further enhance co-operation between Guangdong and Hong Kong on labour inspection and law enforcement, the two sides signed the Guangdong/Hong Kong Exchange & Training Co-operation Agreement on Labour Inspection & Law Enforcement.

On healthcare, the Memorandum of Understanding on Drugs & Medical Devices Monitoring & Co-operation in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area was signed to enhance exchanges and co-operation on the regulation of drugs and medical devices in the area.

The leaders also exchanged views on topics such as education, culture and youth development.

Hong Kong & Macao Affairs Office of the State Council Deputy Director Yang Wanming and Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Deputy Director Yin Zhonghua also attended the meeting as special guests.

Mr Lee said since the full resumption of normal travel between Hong Kong and the Mainland, both Guangdong and Hong Kong are pressing ahead at full steam to promote a higher level of co-operation between both sides and pursue high-quality development.

He also noted that the Hong Kong SAR Government will lead all sectors of the community to actively participate in the development of the bay area, and foster a greater flow of factors of production such as people, goods, information and capital, with a view to building it as a first-class bay area for attracting and gathering top international technology talent.