CEPA's scope widened

Mr Jiang Zengwei (R, front), vice minister of the Ministry of Commerce of China, shakes hands with John Tsang Chun-wah, financial secretary of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China after they signed the Supplement V to the Mainland and Hong Kong Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement Signing Ceremony in Hong Kong, south China, on July 29, 2008. [Xinhua]

The Ministry of Commerce and the HKSAR government yesterday signed in Hong Kong a new supplement to the Mainland and Hong Kong Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement (CEPA).

The new measures contained in the supplement aim to further facilitate service industries in Hong Kong to gain access to the mainland market.

Hong Kong and Guangdong will also start pilot measures, some of which are included in CEPA, to enhance mutual economic cooperation.

The latest supplement has introduced 29 liberalization measures covering 17 service sectors.

Adding to the 15 existing CEPA service sectors such as banking and tourism are two new areas, namely mining-related services and scientific consulting services.

Under the new supplement, Hong Kong residents will be able to take the mainland qualification exam to become tour guides on the mainland.

Guangdong will approve applications submitted by Hong Kong enterprises to set up travel agencies in Guangdong.

Qualified Hong Kong residents can obtain the mainland's medical practitioner permit through accreditation. Hong Kong medical companies will be allowed to set up wholly owned outpatient clinics in Guangdong.