The joint work mechanism for the Hainan-Hong Kong Economic Cooperation and Development Demonstration Park convened its first work meeting on Jan 12 in Haikou, capital of Hainan province, and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) via video link.

Leung Chun-ying, vice-chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), attended the meeting and delivered a speech.

Leung said that since its establishment, the Hainan-Hong Kong economic cooperation and development advisory committee has made significant achievements in combining the advantages of the two areas, expanding cooperation channels and launching the park.

He said he hopes that the two sides will deepen cooperation in ensuring that the park will promote the development of relevant upstream and downstream industries.

He also called for giving full play to the role of the advisory committee in highlighting the "Hong Kong characteristics" of the park and attracting Hong Kong enterprises and personnel to participate in the construction of the park.

Mao Wanchun, chairman of the CPPCC Hainan Provincial Committee, called for more communication between Hainan and Hong Kong, and laying out concrete measures for promoting the construction of the park.

The advisory committee discussed the construction plan for the demonstration park at the meeting. Officials from the Hainan Provincial Development and Reform Commission, Hainan International Economic Development Bureau, Haikou municipal government and Sanya municipal government discussed work related to the construction of the park.