HKSAR Government announced on July 25 the “Co-location arrangement of Hong Kong Section of the Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong Express Rail Link”, which will follow the model of Shenzhen Bay Port, that three floors of the West Kowloonterminus will be regarded as outside the territorial boundary of Hong Kong, and will be leased to mainland authorities to exercise jurisdiction. Business and Professionals Alliance for Hong Kong (BPA) expressed its welcome and support to the Government’s proposal and believed that the implementation of the “Co-collection arrangement” would maximize the benefits of the Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong Express Rail Link and bring the greatest convenience and development opportunities to the public.
This arrangement is in line with the three principles, including compliance with the “one country, two systems” and the Basic Law, effective in operation, and can prevent security loopholes. Moreover, there are precedents for “Co-location arrangement” as many successful examples all over the world. We believed that after the passage of the proposal, it can further promote the economic and cultural exchanges between Hong Kong, Shenzhen and other major cities in the Mainland.
BPA believes that the “Co-location arrangement” is the only way to maximize the benefits of high-speed rail link, which is conducive to promoting the exchanges between the private sector and the business community so that Hong Kong can seamlessly integrate with the Mainland and create more economic benefits. After the implementation of the “Co-location arrangement “, Hong Kong passengers can complete the customs clearance, immigration and quarantine procedures at the West Kowloonterminus, and take the high-speed rail link directly to the Mainland city without the need for a transfer, which will save time. With the increasing economic ties between Hong Kong and the Mainland, a large numbers of Hong Kong businessmen, professionals and people are frequently engaged in the two places every day. The implementation of the “Co-location arrangement” can help promoting the urban integration of Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao.
The “Co-location arrangement” will provide a convenient way for the Hong Kong people to travel to the Mainland, including: 1. providing a convenient, reliable and efficient means of transport; 2. prices are relatively affordable, which reduces the travel cost; 3. encouraging Hong Kong people to work and start the business in mainland, which will help the economic development of Hong Kong; 4. promoting the development of Hong Kong’s financial services industry, as there is a convenient way for the professionals to work in Mainland.
BPA hopes the proposal can be passed as soon as possible in the Legislative Council, and the Hong Kong Section of the Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong Express Rail Link can be successfully opened in the third quarter of 2018.
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