Recovery plan: Chief Secretary Henry Tang and Sichuan Provincial Government Executive Vice-governor Wei Hong chair the second high-level meeting under the co-ordination mechanism for Hong Kong's participation in the Sichuan reconstruction.

Hong Kong and Sichuan have agreed the third stage of the city's participation in the province's reconstruction should involve the erection of the Mianzhu to Maoxian section of the Deyang Aba Highway, and urgent medical and health projects.

Speaking after the second high-level meeting under the co-ordination mechanism for Hong Kong's participation in Sichuan's reconstruction, Chief Secretary for Administration Henry Tang said the two core elements of the third-phase work will cost $3 billion.

Hong Kong will continue to support some urgent medical and health reconstruction projects, and construct a network of rehabilitation centres in badly affected counties, on top of the eight planned integrated social service centres and two rehabilitation centres for the disabled in the first and second stages.

The rehabilitation centres and medical facilities under consideration by the Hong Kong Government comprise 30 projects.

Both sides will continue to fine tune the third stage projects and related cost estimates. The Government will forward the recommendations for the third stage support work to gain lawmakers' support.

The two sides also agreed to expedite phase one and two reconstruction projects.

"Among the 20 projects in phase one, we have entered into specific project agreements with the Sichuan Provincial Government for 18 projects. We hope all projects in phase one can start in the first half of the year," Mr Tang said.

"As for the projects in phase two, we wish to complete the assessment of the project feasibility reports within June so the projects can proceed to the tendering stage as soon as possible."