Greater Integration Between Hong Kong And China Urged

by Mary Swire, Tax-News.com, Hong Kong

15 January 2002

Hong Kong's Business and Professionals Federation has called for greater integration between the SAR and mainland China in order to stimulate economic growth.

According to Woo Chia-wei, a member of the Federation's executive committee, and the editor of a recent study on cross border economic activities, Hong Kong could find itself marginalised if it fails to address artificial barriers between the SAR which inhibit freedom of trade, and the movement of goods, resources, and skilled professionals.

'Economic globalisation requires us to co-ordinate and develop cross border economic activities,' he told the South China Morning Post at the weekend. 'We should benefit from our close proximity to the Pearl River Delta, and from extensive participation in China's rapid economic growth.'

Eden Woon, who convened a study sub-group on employment and income, and recently argued that more jobs in Hong Kong should be open to mainland professionals, puts it another way: 'Instead of playing defence, we need to play offence,' he explained. 'How to boost the positioning of Hong Kong? How to attract people from the mainland to come and spend money and contribute to Hong Kong's economy?'

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