Leaders of the Macao-Guangdong Cooperation Liaison Group referred to the annual session as fruitful and that the Boundary Liaison System had contributed to the social stability and economic development of the two places.

The group also announced that the Guangdong Provincial People¡¦s Government decided to cease levying tax from the Hengqin Bridge effective 1 July.

The Macao-Guangdong Cooperation Liaison Group held its first joint meetings this year and the Annual Boundary Liaison Review Meeting in Guangzhou today (6 June).

The leaders of the Macao and Guangdong delegations were the Chief-of-Cabinet of the Office of the Chief Executive, Ho Veng On, and the Director-General of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the Guangdong Provincial People¡¦s Government, Huang Ziqiang.

The four ad hoc committees of the Boundary Liaison System, namely finance, infrastructure and transportation, tourism and environmental protection, reviewed the work accomplished during the past year. Both sides acknowledged that close cooperation had raised the living standards of the people.

Looking ahead, both sides discussed issues concerning emergency medical aid, the development of Hengqin, the establishment of a bonded export zone, environmental protection, tourism and the fight against illegal immigration.

Both sides decided to establish an additional ad hoc committee on emergency medical aid to facilitate ties between the two areas.