HK deputies urged to focus on youth

Those measures will include more funding, subsidies and career opportunities, Han said. He hoped the moves will signal to Hong Kong's young people that the Greater Bay Area blueprint can help them.

In a separate meeting of deputies from Guangdong province, senior officials vowed to deepen cooperation with Hong Kong by establishing more cross-border connections and linking the two sides' trade and professional qualification standards.

Li Xi, Party chief of Guangdong, said the province will take the needs of Hong Kong into full consideration when designing cooperative projects.

The Nansha Pilot Free Trade Zone in Guangzhou focuses on technological innovation with Hong Kong and Macao, while the Qianhai Pilot FTZ in Shenzhen tilts toward working with Hong Kong's service industry, he noted, adding that the development of Hengqin in Zhuhai should serve Macao's needs.

Li said that a series of cooperation projects are in the pipeline, including an international commercial bank dedicated to the Bay Area's development, joint investment institutions and development funds.

Guangzhou Mayor Wen Guohui said one of the city's primary tasks now is to promote a professional qualification recognition system jointly with Hong Kong.

"We have recognized 16 kinds of vocational certificates issued by Hong Kong and realized mutual recognition in six professions, including registered architects and real estate appraisers," he said.