ýÿThe Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Mr Kevin Yeung, and the District Mayor of the Yantian District People's Government, Mr Deng Feibo, leading delegations of the governments of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) and Shenzhen respectively, held the first meeting of the Working Group for Sha Tau Kok (STK) Co-operation Zone under the Task Force for Collaboration on the Northern Metropolis Development Strategy in Shenzhen today (May 24).
      
     At the meeting, the HKSAR Government introduced the latest progress of the opening up of the STK Frontier Closed Area, the progress of the upgrading of the Chung Ying Street Checkpoint and the upcoming plans for promoting the development of cultural tourism in STK under the principle of "low density, high quality". The government of Shenzhen also introduced the latest progress of the development of Shatoujiao in Shenzhen and exchanged views on potential collaboration. After the meeting, both delegations visited Shatoujiao in Shenzhen to learn about the upgrading and transformation plan there.
      
     Mr Yeung said, "STK bears unique historical and cultural origins with rich tourism characteristics. Under the principles of complementarity and mutual benefits, Shenzhen and Hong Kong governments will actively explore co-operation opportunities, and work together to promote the development of tourism in STK."
      
     In the 2023 Policy Address, the Chief Executive proposed to explore with the Shenzhen Municipal Government the establishment of an STK Cultural Tourism Zone. In future, the Tourism Commission will, through the Design District Hong Kong (#ddHK) project, introduce more creative tourism elements and integrate STK's history and culture to create more unique itineraries and tourism products. In addition, the Tourism Commission will continue to promote the two "signature itineraries" related to tourism resources in STK under the Deeper into Hong Kong: Creative Itinerary Design Competition, to highlight the tourism characteristics of STK to visitors.
      
     Officials of the HKSAR Government attending the meeting today also included the Under Secretary for Security, Mr Michael Cheuk, the Under Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Mr Raistlin Lau, as well as representatives from the Environment and Ecology Bureau, the Tourism Commission, the Northern Metropolis Co-ordination Office of the Development Bureau, the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department, the North District Office, and the Planning Department.

Ends/Friday, May 24, 2024
Issued at HKT 19:45

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