Task Force for Hong Kong-Shenzhen Co-operation on Cross-Boundary Railway Infrastructure holds meeting in Shenzhen (with photos)

     The Secretary for Transport and Logistics, Mr Lam Sai-hung, and Vice Mayor of the Shenzhen Municipal People's Government Mr Tao Yongxin, leading delegations of the governments of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) and Shenzhen respectively, held the third meeting of the Task Force for Hong Kong-Shenzhen Co-operation on Cross-Boundary Railway Infrastructure in Shenzhen today (November 21).

     At the meeting, both sides discussed the progress of the work of cross-boundary railway projects, including deliberation of the findings of the second-stage study of the Hong Kong-Shenzhen Western Rail Link (Hung Shui Kiu-Qianhai) (HSWRL) and the arrangements for the implementation of the Northern Link (NOL) Spur Line. Both sides agreed to jointly set up an Office for Implementing Cross-boundary Railway Projects by the relevant departments of the governments of the two places to take forward the planning and design of the next stage of the HSWRL and the NOL Spur Line projects, and to set up a Legal Group to focus on the study and discussion of the legal issues involved in the two projects.

     Mr Lam said, "Since its establishment, the Task Force has been working closely together to conduct in-depth studies on cross-boundary railway infrastructure and diligently planning for relevant railway projects, with a view to better facilitating Hong Kong's integration into the development of the Greater Bay Area. Upon completion, the HSWRL and the NOL Spur Line will also serve as parts of an important transport backbone for the Northern Metropolis."

     Representatives of the HKSAR Government attending the meeting today included officials from the Development Bureau, the Security Bureau, the Highways Department, the Planning Department and the Transport Department.

     To further enhance the connectivity of the Greater Bay Area's infrastructure, the governments of Hong Kong and Shenzhen established the Task Force for Hong Kong-Shenzhen Co-operation on Cross-Boundary Railway Infrastructure in August 2021 to jointly develop the "GBA on the Rail" and to take forward the HSWRL and the NOL Spur Line projects.