The Secretary for Development, Mrs Carrie Lam, and the Executive Vice Mayor of Shenzhen Municipal Government, Mr Li Feng, convened the second meeting of the Hong Kong-Shenzhen Joint Task Force on Boundary District Development in Hong Kong today (September 18) to consider the progress of the development of the Liantang/Heung Yuen Wai Boundary Control Point and Lok Ma Chau Loop.
The Joint Task Force endorsed the major findings of the "Shenzhen-Hong Kong Joint Preliminary Planning Study on Developing the Liantang/Heung Yuen Wai Boundary Control Point", noting that the new boundary control point would enhance passenger and cargo flows and strengthen the linkage between Hong Kong/Shenzhen and the eastern part of Guangdong as well as adjoining provinces like Jiangxi and Fujian. The new boundary control point would further extend the economic hinterland of Hong Kong and Shenzhen. It also carries strategic and macroscopic implications for the long-term development of Hong Kong and Shenzhen. As there is limited scope for the expansion of the existing boundary control points in the eastern part of Hong Kong and Shenzhen, cross-boundary traffic mainly relies on the control points in the west. With the development of the new boundary control point, cross-boundary traffic can be re-distributed more evenly. This will help improve the overall handling capacity and enhance the efficiency and quality of service of the boundary control points, which in turn will alleviate traffic congestion at Man Kam To Boundary Control Point and the adjoining areas.
The Joint Task Force agreed to the construction of Liantang/Heung Yuen Wai Boundary Control Point, which marked a substantive achievement in co-operation in boundary development between the two sides.
The Joint Task Force also agreed on the detailed arrangements for the new boundary control point, which will mainly serve goods and passenger traffic between Hong Kong and the eastern part of Guangdong. It is estimated that in 2030, the new boundary control point will handle 20,600 vehicular trips and 30,700 passenger trips a day.
It was agreed that a "people-oriented" approach would be adopted for the design and detailed layout of the new boundary control point and the integrated passenger building so that the immigration and customs clearance of both sides would be close to each other. It is also suggested to adopt a two-storey design to minimise land requirement and to launch the project together with Stage IV of the Shenzhen River Improvement Works (Liantang Section). The new boundary control point is expected to be completed by 2018.
A Working Group on the Implementation of Liantang/Heung Yuen Wai Boundary Control Point has been set up to take forward the project and to follow up the technical work in the next stage.
At the meeting, the Joint Task Force was briefed on views collated on the future land use of the Lok Ma Chau Loop during a public engagement exercise conducted in Hong Kong and Shenzhen in June and July respectively this year. The Joint Task Force noted that most of the public and the various sectors in Hong Kong and Shenzhen were of the view that the development of Lok Ma Chau Loop should focus on areas that could enhance the competitive advantages of both sides and produce mutual benefits. Sustainable development should be pursued under the principle of preserving the ecological environment and promoting economic and social well-being. It was also hoped that innovation in systems and policy could be achieved under the framework of "One Country Two Systems". Based on the public views received, both sides will work on further details and decide on the specific land uses and combination of land uses so as to provide a basis for comprehensive study and planning at the next stage.
Ends/Thursday, September 18, 2008
Issued at HKT 16:41
NNNN