The Secretary for Development, Mrs Carrie Lam, and the Executive Vice Mayor of the Shenzhen Municipal Government, Mr Lu Ruifeng, convened the eighth meeting of the Hong Kong-Shenzhen Joint Task Force on Boundary District Development (Joint Task Force) in Shenzhen today (May 7).
The Joint Task Force was briefed by its working groups on the progress of the Liantang/Heung Yuen Wai Boundary Control Point (BCP) project and the Lok Ma Chau Loop Development, and discussed the way forward.
Regarding the Liantang/Heung Yuen Wai BCP project, both the Hong Kong and Shenzhen authorities were pleased with the progress of the project. Both sides have reached a consensus on the details of the agreement for Hong Kong to commission Shenzhen to design the BCP's cross-boundary bridge. They will sign the official agreement after approval by both authorities.
In response to the effect of direct access facilities on the Hong Kong side of the BCP on passenger and traffic flows, both sides agreed that further studies should be conducted on the BCP's public transport arrangements and the required ancillary facilities at the detailed design stage to meet public expectations.
The Shenzhen authorities were also pleased to learn that the reprovisioning works for the resiting of Chuk Yuen village on the Hong Kong side were completed in March 2012. The detailed design for the site formation works of the BCP and the construction works of the BCP connecting road are expected to be largely completed by mid-2012. The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government has received the Legislative Council's support for the funding application to be made in the coming two months. The associated investigation works began in October 2011 and are expected to be completed in 2012.
The Shenzhen side has already completed the preliminary investigation works, while the environmental impact assessment and feasibility study are under approval. The planning authority has issued the BCP's planning design conditions and will soon invite tenders for the detailed design of the works. At the same time, land preparatory works for the BCP site are under way. On this basis, both sides are confident of commissioning the BCP no later than 2018.
With regard to the planning and engineering study for the Lok Ma Chau Loop, the Hong Kong and Shenzhen authorities have reached a consensus on the land use planning, spatial arrangement, infrastructure and supporting facilities. A recommended development plan has been formulated and the Stage Two Public Engagement will soon commence. The development of the Lok Ma Chau Loop is a key co-operative project between Hong Kong and Shenzhen. According to current progress, the target of opening some facilities in the Lok Ma Chau Loop in 2020 remains unchanged. With regard to the co-development of the Loop, both sides have explored the possible mode of development by drawing on the experience of similar developments and taking into consideration the functional positioning of the Loop. Both sides will continue to conduct in-depth discussions on the future mode of development with a view to reaching a consensus to facilitate the development of the Lok Ma Chau Loop.
In the concluding remarks, Mrs Lam said that since the setting up of the Hong Kong-Shenzhen Joint Task Force on Boundary District Development in December 2007, there have been eight meetings and this represented the final one for the current HKSAR Government. She expressed her gratitude to the Shenzhen authorities for sparing no effort in co-operating and supporting the Hong Kong side in expediting the development of the boundary district in the past few years. Both sides had worked together in starting and taking the project forward in pragmatic and creative ways, she said.
Regarding the Liantang/Heung Yuen Wai BCP, both the Hong Kong and Shenzhen governments decided at an early stage that its design should be people-oriented. Later, both sides jointly organised the International Design Ideas Competition for the BCP Passenger Terminal Building under the theme "People Foremost, A Vista of New Connection". The competition received an overwhelming response from all sectors. Additionally, both sides launched the Planning and Engineering Study on Development of the Lok Ma Chau Loop and undertook the Stage One Public Engagement concurrently in Hong Kong and Shenzhen.
Mrs Lam took the opportunity to express her heartfelt gratitude to the Joint Task Force members and all related government departments in Hong Kong and Shenzhen for their efforts over the years.
The meeting was held at the OCT East Resort in Shenzhen. After the meeting, representatives of both sides toured the OCT East Resort and the Sewage Treatment Works in Buji.
Ends/Monday, May 7, 2012
Issued at HKT 20:08
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