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Carrie Lam policy address 2021
Hong KongTransport

Carrie Lam policy address: boosting northern Hong Kong economy behind plan for new rail links between city and mainland China

  • City leader unveils plans for five new infrastructure projects to complement development of Northern Metropolis
  • But experts raise doubts over ability of existing network to handle influx of passengers

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The MTR Corporation is expected to be responsible for three of the new projects proposed by Carrie Lam. Photo: Nora Tam
Cannix YauandKathleen Magramo

The Hong Kong government’s plan to build new railway links with mainland China is aimed at boosting the economy in the north of the city and furthering integration with Shenzhen, but analysts have questioned whether it will place too much of a strain on the existing network.

In her policy address on Wednesday, Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor outlined five railway projects to complement the development of a proposed Northern Metropolis – an economic, infrastructure and IT hub beyond the administrative boundary of Hong Kong and Shenzhen.

Under the plan, a rail link will be built connecting Hung Shui Kiu in Yuen Long to Qianhai in Shenzhen to cater for the newly announced eightfold expansion of Qianhai.

Lawmaker Ben Chan Han-pan raised concerns that the MTR Corporation would be overloaded with seven ongoing and proposed projects outlined in Lam’s speech.

During a question-and-answer session on Thursday, Lam said the railway from Hung Shui Kiu to Qianhai could be put up for public bidding, rather than simply giving the project to the city’s sole rail operator.

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