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An initial study on a new cross-border railway linking Hong Kong and Shenzhen’s Qianhai economic zone is expected to conclude next year, the local transport minister said on Thursday.

Secretary for Transport and Housing Frank Chan Fan said on a radio show a special office would discuss matters relating to the railway link with mainland China, which was proposed as part of Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor’s ambitious Northern Metropolis development plan.

Chan said that every decision regarding travel across the border needed “communication and cooperation” between the two sides.

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“Our social situation, and the realities of travel between both places are different,” he added.

Secretary for Transport and Housing Frank Chan. Photo: K. Y. Cheng

The transport minister said officials from both sides of the border had met in August, and once the study was concluded, officials would move on to looking at possible routes, stops along the way, the cost of building the system, and the division of responsibilities.

Announcing the Northern Metropolis plan at the final policy address of her term last week, Lam said the area would be “the most vibrant area where urban development and major population growth of Hong Kong in the next 20 years will take place”.

The development is considered to be a strategic economic, infrastructure and innovation, and technology hub and key to easing Hong Kong’s integration with Shenzhen and connection with the Greater Bay Area, an emerging economic powerhouse in southern China.

The metropolis spans 300 sq km, will include seven land-based checkpoints, existing new towns in Tin Shui Wai, Yuen Long, Fanling and Sheung Shui and their neighbouring rural areas, as well as six new development areas under planning or construction.

Hong Kong investors could take financial stake in Northern Metropolis plan The proposed Hong Kong-Shenzhen Western Rail Link, which will run between Hung Shui Kiu and Qianhai, will be built along with four other railway projects connecting more rural areas in the New Territories.

The cross-border line will serve as an extension of MTR Corporation’s planned HK$62 billion (US$8 billion) Northern Link serving western and northern New Territories.

The Northern Metropolis development is expected to bring 650,000 new jobs, up to 926,000 new flats and eventually homes to 2.5 million people, or one-third of the city’s existing population.

Secretary for Development Michael Wong Wai-lun, speaking on the same radio show, said the Northern Metropolis would change the “south centric” development mindset, and would improve the current congestion on public transport from the New Territories to Hong Kong’s urban areas.

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Wong also defended a proposal to develop the city’s green belt zones, which provide a buffer area between country parks and urbanisation.

“The country parks and green belts make up 56 per cent of the city’s area, there is no way we can afford not to develop them,” he said.

The government would study the feasibility of developing green belts, he said, and would step up its speed in identifying land for public housing.

He added the city was reviewing the design of public flats and considering making them about 10 per cent bigger than the current plans.

More from South China Morning Post:

Individual Hong Kong investors may be allowed to take financial stake in Northern Metropolis development, finance chief says Hong Kong’s financial district can no longer be sole driver of growth, minister says Hong Kong leader vows to cut red tape, contain costs for Northern Metropolis, points to green bonds as financing prospect for mammoth project Carrie Lam policy address: boosting northern Hong Kong economy behind plan for new rail links between city and mainland China Proposed Northern Metropolis near mainland China border will be ‘Hong Kong’s most important area’, leader says in policy address Read the original article on South China Morning Post. For the latest news from the South China Morning Post download our mobile app. Copyright 2021.