The Executive Vice Mayor of the Shenzhen Municipal Government, Mr Li Feng, and the Secretary for Development, Mrs Carrie Lam, convened the third meeting of the Hong Kong-Shenzhen Joint Task Force on Boundary District Development in Shenzhen today (April 27).
The Joint Task Force noted the progress reports submitted by the three working groups on the development of the Liantang/Heung Yuen Wai Control Point and Lok Ma Chau Loop, and deliberated on the work plan. A "Letter of Intent on the Use of Cross-boundary Land upon Training of Shenzhen River" was signed at today's meeting.
The Hong Kong and Shenzhen authorities have agreed on the work schedule of the Liantang/Heung Yuen Wai project. It was noted that on the Hong Kong side, a site investigation and preliminary design study on the project, including the environmental impact assessment, had started in April. The Shenzhen authority will also start various preliminary works in stages this year. The engineering works of the project is expected to commence in Hong Kong and Shenzhen in 2013. Both sides will work closely with each other. Regular reviews will be conducted to ensure that the Control Point will be opened not later than 2018.
The Joint Task Force has agreed to jointly organise a design competition for the passenger terminal building. The competition aims to achieve closer co-operation between Hong Kong and Shenzhen, foster mutual benefits, and to come up with a people-oriented design for the passenger terminal building. Details on how to launch the competition will be worked out by the relevant working group and made public later.
Based on the public views collected by the Hong Kong and Shenzhen authorities in June and July last year on the future use of the Lok Ma Chau Loop, both sides initially considered that higher education could be the leading use in the Loop, complemented with hi-tech research and development facilities, as well as cultural and creative industries. A comprehensive study will be launched to explore the development of the Loop and nearby areas which could provide infrastructure and supporting facilities.
As the preparation work for the study has been progressing well, the comprehensive study is scheduled to commence in June this year for completion at end 2011.
After the completion of the first three stages of the training of Shenzhen River, a total of nine pieces of land, including the Lok Ma Chau Loop area, has fallen into each other's administrative region. Apart from confirming the land use for the Lok Ma Chau Loop area, the Joint Task Force also discussed the use of the remaining eight pieces of cross-boundary land and agreed to develop them into greening spots, ecological park and artificial wetland.
With due respect to history, the Shenzhen and Hong Kong authorities signed the "Letter of Intent on the Use of Cross-boundary Land upon Training of Shenzhen River", which would facilitate the use of the relevant pieces of land for mutual benefit. The Letter of Intent will also serve as a reference document for the next stage of work.
The Hong Kong and Shenzhen authorities are satisfied with the concrete progress in the work of the Joint Task Force. The next meeting of the Joint Task Force will be held after six months.
Ends/Monday, April 27, 2009
Issued at HKT 18:35
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