Chinese Vice-President Zeng Qinghong called for further cooperation between the mainland and Hong Kong and Macao in a recent tour of south China's Guangdong Province.

Zeng spoke highly of a meeting on Guangdong-Hong Kong cooperation that was held in Hong Kong on Aug. 5, saying it set a clear framework for their future cooperation in various fields, including the manufacturing and service industries.

On the basis of "one country, two systems," and in the framework of the World Trade Organization, the mainland and Hong Kong should support each other and enhance cooperation for mutual benefit, Zeng said.

Zeng also said the central government attaches great importance to Macao, noting the high-level consulting system and a liaison panel for Guangdong-Macao cooperation have been set up. He hoped Guangdong officials pay equal attention to cooperation with Macao and Hong Kong.

During the tour, Zeng met with Chief Executive Edmund Ho Hau Wah of the Macao Special Administrative Region and Chief ExecutiveTung Chee Hwa of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. He discussed implementation of the Mainland-Hong Kong Close Economic Partnership Arrangement (CEPA) with them.

(People’s Daily September 18, 2003)