Plaque-unveiling ceremony of China (Guangdong) Pilot Free Trade Zone

This morning, I went to Nansha to attend the plaque-unveiling ceremony of the China (Guangdong) Pilot Free Trade Zone (the Guangdong FTZ). The establishment of FTZs is a significant policy of our country. By speeding up changes in government functions, implementing new modes of investment management and facilitating trade and investment, the FTZs aim to explore new means and accumulate experience for deepening reforms and further opening up, so that those replicable and promotable successful experiences can be implemented in other places of our country.

At the Ninth Pan-Pearl River Delta Regional Co-operation and Development Forum held in September 2013, I called on all places in the region to work together towards the goal of "capitalising on their own comparative advantages, complementing each other's strengths and sharing economic success". When I met with the Secretary of the CPC Guangdong Provincial Committee during the Forum, I told him my expectation for Guangdong and Hong Kong to maintain close co-operation and promote the development of the Guangdong FTZ together for our mutual benefit through joint planning and active participation. Over the past two years, the two places have continued to hold discussions on the development of the Guangdong FTZ.

Today is a historic moment that marks the beginning of a new era of reform and opening up for our country. The Guangdong FTZ will adopt a pre-establishment national treatment plus negative list approach for management of foreign investments. This will greatly facilitate Hong Kong enterprises in investing in the FTZ.

The establishment of FTZs will bring more business opportunities for Hong Kong enterprises. Among the areas covered by the Guangdong FTZ, Nansha is in close proximity to Hong Kong and has rich land resources. I hope that Hong Kong enterprises will grasp the opportunities brought about by the Guangdong FTZ to develop their business and achieve greater success.

April 21, 2015