To further ensure a stable goods supply to Hong Kong through land transport, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government is working in full steam with the Guangdong Provincial Government and the Shenzhen Municipal People's Government to accelerate the establishment of centralised cargo transfer points for non-fresh food items and other goods in Hong Kong. The first cargo trial run was successfully conducted this afternoon (March 11). Four containers loaded with anti-epidemic supplies have been respectively delivered to the temporary cargo transfer yards located at the Kwai Tsing Container Terminals (KTCTs) and the Tuen Mun River Trade Terminal.
Accompanied by representatives of Modern Terminals Limited and Hongkong International Terminals, the Secretary for Transport and Housing, Mr Frank Chan Fan, and Deputy Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the HKSAR Mr Yin Zonghua, arrived at the Container Terminal 9 of KTCTs for inspection. The governments of both sides plan to continue to carry out the cargo trial runs until the end of this month so as to review and adjust the detailed arrangements.
Besides, they also visited the temporary cargo transfer yard situated at Kam Pok Road, San Tin, Yuen Long, earlier today to inspect the construction work. The construction concerned and other facility arrangements are progressing well, with a view to launching a trial operation by the end of March this year.
The aforementioned transfer arrangement in Hong Kong is a temporary measure in response to the latest epidemic situation in the city. Mainland drivers will directly deliver goods to the designated cargo transfer yards in Hong Kong, and transfer the goods to Hong Kong goods vehicle drivers, so as to reduce the risk of epidemic transmission in both the Mainland and Hong Kong and to ensure a smooth cross-boundary land transport.
Once again, the HKSAR Government expresses gratitude to the Central Government, the Guangdong Provincial Government and the Shenzhen Municipal People's Government for their staunch support all along. Various measures to ensure stable goods supply from the Mainland to Hong Kong have been explored and implemented. The HKSAR Government also particularly thanks a private developer for lending the concerned site for free for setting up a temporary transfer yard. The concerted effort and co-operation among various government departments as well as the support of the cross-boundary goods vehicle trade and the frontline staff is also indispensable for actively optimising the operation of cross-boundary transportation of supplies.
The HKSAR Government will closely monitor the situation and continue to co-operate with the Mainland authorities, adopting a multi-pronged approach and exploring various measures to ensure a stable goods supply from the Mainland to Hong Kong.
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