The development of cross-boundary infrastructure between Hong Kong and Guangdong province will be akey focus of Hong Kong and Guangdong's future co-operation, Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Donald Tsang said on Thursday.

Speaking after the 10th Plenary of the Hong Kong/Guangdong Co-operation Joint Conference held on Thursday, Tsang said the construction of the Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong Express Rail Link Hong Kong section will adopt the dedicated-corridor option.

Meanwhile, Lok Ma Chau Spur Line is slated to open on Aug. 15, he said. The study on the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge's boundary-crossing facilities' locations and financing arrangements is underway, he added.

The HKSAR government has also decided to adopt the dedicated-corridor option for building the Guangzhou-Shenzhen-HongKong Express Rail Link, after considering the technical requirements, passenger forecast, Hong Kong's future economic development and the closer trade ties between Hong Kong and Guangdong.

Tsang said Kowloon-Canton Railway has submitted a detailed project proposal, adding the HKSAR government is exploring with the Kowloon-Canton Railway Corporation (KCRC) and the mainland authorities the project's engineering and operational aspects.

Noting the task force will put forth measures to offer the trade some relief, such as helping them to upgrade and boost their competitive edge, Tsang said it will also act as a bridge between the trade and the Chinese mainland authorities, reflecting their views and suggestions.

Hong Kong and Guangdong signed a pact on Thursday on promoting service industries' co-operation between the two cities under the mainland and Hong Kong Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement (CEPA).