The economic powerhouses of Guangdong and Shanghai look set to boost ties, following a visit by senior Guangdong officials to the municipality that ended on Monday.

Shanghai Party secretary Yu Zhengsheng and Guangdong Party secretary Wang Yang agreed the municipality and province need to adopt an open approach to development and seek communication and cooperation in more areas.

"Shanghai and Guangdong have a sound base for cooperation," Yu said when meeting the Guangdong delegation.

The Guangdong delegation, which arrived in Shanghai on Sunday and left on Monday for Jiangsu and Zhejiang provinces, comprised more than 70 senior officials from the province's Party and government. They visited Pudong, known for being at the forefront of Shanghai's reform and development, as well as the city's financial hub, industrial parks and the Yangshan Deepwater Port.

"We are hoping to learn from Shanghai to enhance self-innovation," Wang said.

Chen Jiahai, from the Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences, said the areas have a long history of exchange and held a bright future for cooperation with the further implementation of the Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement between the mainland and Hong Kong.

"The agreement allows more cooperation between Shanghai and Hong Kong, as well as between Shanghai and Guangdong," he said.

"Guangdong has set good examples in its State-owned enterprise reform and Shanghai can learn from it," he said.

"The province is upgrading its manufacturing sector and Zhejiang and Jiangsu can share its experience."

(China Daily February 20, 2008)