The Secretary for Development, Mr Paul Chan, and the Executive Vice Mayor of the Shenzhen Municipal Government, Mr Lu Ruifeng, convened the 11th meeting of the Hong Kong-Shenzhen Joint Task Force on Boundary District Development in Hong Kong today (November 19).
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. Both sides have reached a fundamental consensus on the architectural features and details of the BCP Passenger Terminal Building.
Following the commencement of the site formation works of the BCP in April this year, Hong Kong began construction of the BCP connecting road and the river regulation project in July and August respectively. Design work on the construction and ancillary facilities of the BCP is also actively underway.
Meanwhile, the Shenzhen authority completed and approved the design of the Shenzhen BCP in August this year. The Shenzhen authority is now working on the preliminary design and budget preparation. Both the construction drawing design and tender invitation exercise of the site formation works have been completed. The site formation works are targeted for commencement in November this year.
Both sides share the common 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 progress of the study, results of the environmental impact assessment and the next stage of work after the study. 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 further facilitating the development of the Loop.
Both Mr Chan and Mr Lu were 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.
Representatives of both governments toured the newly completed Kai Tak Cruise Terminal after the meeting.
Ends/Tuesday, November 19, 2013
Issued at HKT 19:24
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