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1. Beijing delegation meets potential bridge investors

2. Informal river delta council needed

1. Beijing delegation meets potential bridge investors
STAFF REPORTER, SCMP 3 March 2003

A Beijing delegation visiting Hong Kong to consider the proposed cross-border bridge between Hong Kong, Zhuhai and Macau has met businessmen interested in investing in the project, it was reported yesterday.

The seven-strong expert team from the State Development Planning Commission also inspected the bridge's proposed Hong Kong landing point in north Lantau, Xinhua reported.

The team arrived last week to discuss with Hong Kong officials a feasibility study of the 28km link. The six-month study will cover the bridge's alignment, economic benefits and financing arrangements.

Xinhua said the commission and the Hong Kong government had also commissioned research institutes on the mainland to study the link's impact on logistics in Hong Kong and the western part of the Pearl River Delta.

The report also said the team had met professional groups, logistics industry representatives and businessmen who were interested in investing in the $13 billion project.

Hopewell Holdings chairman Gordon Wu Ying-sheung and Shun Tak Holdings chairman Stanley Ho Hung-sun, the key supporters of the project, have expressed an interest in investing.

A senior government source said last week that the cross-border bridge would land at San Shek Wan in northern Lantau, rather than at Tai O, to preserve the island's coastline. The government has favoured a single Y-shaped bridge.

The official said the bridge would be linked to the nearby Chek Lap Kok airport via a tunnel, with space reserved for a rail track connecting to the Airport Express route.

The bridge has obtained the blessing of the central government.

2. Informal river delta council needed
Letters to the Editor, SCMP 3 March 2003

I am grateful for publication of my article on Pearl River Delta (PRD) integration ("The case for a regional economic council", South China Morning Post, February 24).

Unfortunately, due to space limitations, my ideas on how to move forward on this proposal were not able to be included in the space allotted. Therefore, I would like to elaborate on how I think the Greater Pearl River council can be implemented.

I propose that the best structure to adopt could be a "simplified Apec model", similar to Apec, but without the bureaucracy. The Greater PRD council structure would consist of the following parts:

¡P The council would be constituted as an informal, non-legal entity made up of the governments of the PRD cities and municipalities, with high-level regional, provincial and central government blessing.

¡P It would be useful for the heads of the cities to meet once a year, but other than that, there would be no need for an elaborate hierarchy within the council. Periodic meetings could be held among officials at working level, and on a needs basis depending on the issues in question. Working groups could also be convened for specific issues like, for example, the environment, small and medium enterprises co-operation, similar to working groups or sectoral meetings under the Apec system.

¡P In terms of overall leadership, this could be jointly undertaken by Hong Kong and Guangdong. A permanent secretariat should be set up as soon as possible and initial meetings conducted to get consensus on the vision for the region and the structure and mission of the council. The secretariat would be run by senior and well-connected people and supported by a strong mandate and with a degree of autonomy that enabled it to undertake its functions effectively.

¡P The business of both sides could be represented on the council through a PRD business advisory council. These advisers could hold meetings on various issues and submit proposals to the council. They would work closely with the secretariat and be able to participate in regular meetings of the council as participants or as observers. Since this integration takes place across borders, it could not be "business-led", but it would have to be "business-conscious".

There may well be other ways of organising the Greater Pearl River Delta council, and I hope that discussions can start soon on its creation and on what would be the most efficient structure.

CHRISTOPHER CHENG, Chairman, Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce.