The Secretary for Development, Mr Paul Chan, and the Executive Vice Mayor of the Shenzhen Municipal Government, Mr Lu Ruifeng, convened the 10th meeting of the Hong Kong-Shenzhen Joint Task Force on Boundary District Development in Shenzhen today (June 24).
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 its progress, including a preliminary agreement on the structural form and construction method of the cross-boundary bridges, along with in-depth discussions on the detailed arrangements for implementation of the cross-boundary bridges.
The Hong Kong side started the site formation works of the BCP this April. The construction works of the BCP connecting road and the Shenzhen River Regulation Project are expected to commence later this year. Design work on the BCP building and ancillary facilities also started early this year.
Meanwhile, the Shenzhen authority completed the tender invitation exercise for the design of the BCP works and the cross-boundary bridges at the end of April. The detailed conceptual plan of the Shenzhen control point has been completed and the relevant government departments have been consulted. The Shenzhen authority is now inviting tenders for the construction cost consultancy, work supervision, and assessment of flood protection of the cross-boundary bridges. The site formation works for Shenzhen control point project are targeted for commencement in November this year.
Both sides continue to uphold the goal of opening the new BCP no later than 2018.
With regard to the planning and engineering study for the Lok Ma Chau Loop, the Hong Kong side reported on the latest progress of the study, the result of the Stage Two Public Engagement exercise, and the revised Recommended Outline Development Plan. The two governments will announce the result of the Stage Two Public Engagement exercise and final recommendations of the study later on. On the co-development of the Loop, both sides will continue with more in-depth discussions on the mode of development with a view to reaching a consensus to facilitate the development of the Loop.
Both Mr Chan and Mr Lu are pleased to note that the Liantang/Heung Yuen Wai BCP project and the development of the Lok Ma Chau Loop have made substantial progress. They expect both sides to continue working closely to take the projects forward.
The meeting was held at Shenzhen OCT Resort. Representatives of both governments toured the OCT Wetland and the University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital (Binhai Hospital) after the meeting.
Ends/Monday, June 24, 2013
Issued at HKT 19:05