News Stories:

Click-on these handy "jump links" to quickly access the news item
you're looking for.

1.Kai Tak, not Tamar, urges DAB

2.HK-Shenzhen Western Corridor boundary crossing contracts signed

3.West Rail overhead line damaged by foreign object

1. Kai Tak, not Tamar, urges DAB
Carrie Chan, The Standard 17 August 17, 2005

Pro-Beijing party challenges Tsang plan for government complex by proposing move to Kowloon Chief Executive Donald Tsang's plan to revive the idea of converting the unused Tamar site near Central into a HK$6 billion government headquarters and legislative complex is facing a challenge from the Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong.

The pro-Beijing party instead wants to see the government complex moved to the former Kai Tak airport in Kowloon.

The party that once marched in virtual lockstep with the government posed the unexpected challenge to Tsang's Tamar vision in a closed-door meeting Tuesday held to discuss the Chief Executive's first Policy Address to be delivered in October.

Tsang defended his plan and pleaded with lawmakers for support, according to a DAB source.

"Tsang said he wants to have some accomplishments during his two-year term. But time is running short,'' said the source. "So he is determined to focus on just a few major projects. Tamar is one of his targets.''

Tsang has been consulting with policy secretaries, senior bureaucrats and legislators for input on his maiden Policy Address and he is calling for initiatives to improve both governance and livelihood. On August 4, he said his Tamar plan would create thousands of construction jobs and ease unemployment.

DAB chairman and lawmaker Ma Lik said that the party believes moving the political headquarters to East Kowloon would be a boon for Hong Kong.

"A relocation of all government department offices to the Kowloon side would release the existing Hong Kong Island waterfront for commercial use and is in line'' with Tsang's idea of smaller government and bigger markets, Ma said.

Ma noted that both Washington, DC and Beijing are capitals far from the commercial centers of their nations.

According to DAB sources, Tsang listed time constraints and planning difficulties as the reason for sticking with Tamar, according to a DAB source.

The DAB proposal was challenged by Executive Councillor Leung Chun-ting who worried the move would inconvenience the public. "A government headquarters should be located at the heart of the city, with well-developed transport facilities. More than just a cluster of government offices, it is a place where services are provided to ordinary people,'' Leung said.

Leung is chairman of a coalition of 15 professional sectors which have studied the Tamar site for years.

No such studies have been made for Kai Tak yet. Leung said a new site would require lengthy feasibility studies and Town Planning Board action.

Shui On chairman Vincent Lo welcomed Tsang's plan to revive Tamar and release the current Lower Albert Road headquarters for sale.

"It is reasonable to relocate government offices to Tamar after leaving it undeveloped for eight years. The move will release the current headquarters for more land premium proceeds to the Treasury.''

2. HK-Shenzhen Western Corridor boundary crossing contracts signed
Hong Kong Government, 17 August 2005

The Secretary for Security, Mr Ambrose SK Lee, representing the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government, attended a contract-signing ceremony in Shenzhen today (August 17) for construction of boundary crossing facilities for the Hong Kong-Shenzhen Western Corridor (HK-SWC). Contracts signed were worth a total of RMB320 million, and covered items such as the superstructure of the Hong Kong passenger terminal building.

The Executive Vice-Mayor, Mr Liu Yingli, represented the Shenzhen Municipal People's Government at the ceremony. The Director of the Shenzhen-Hong Kong Western Corridor Project Office, Mr Tang Yaozhi, signed the works contracts with the contractors on behalf of the Shenzhen Municipal People's Government.

During the ceremony, Mr Lee thanked the Shenzhen authorities for their co-operation and efforts in taking forward the implementation of co-location of customs and immigration facilities at the new boundary crossing at the HK-SWC. He said Hong Kong would continue to work with Shenzhen and ensure the smooth completion of the project by the end of 2006.

Mr Lee believed that with the close co-operation of both sides and the efforts of the contractors, cross-boundary passengers would be able to enjoy a convenient and comfortable service when the project was completed.

Also speaking at the ceremony, Executive Vice-Mayor Liu Yingli emphasised that this large-scale boundary crossing was jointly invested in and undertaken by the Hong Kong and Shenzhen governments. It was a key project to which the Central Government, and the governments of Guangdong Province, Shenzhen and Hong Kong attached great importance. He said this boundary crossing would be the first one where the co-location arrangement would be implemented.

Mr Liu called on all participating parties to further strengthen co-ordination and adhere to the contract provisions so as to ensure the quality, safety and timely completion of the project.

3. West Rail overhead line damaged by foreign object
KCRC Press Release, 17 August 2005

A foreign object damaged a section of West Rail overhead line next to Tuen Mun Hospital at 9:36pm this evening and affected West Rail services.

During the affected period, detrainment was conducted for one West Rail train on the downtrack near the platform end of Siu Hong Station. Station staff directed passengers to detrain and walk to Siu Hong Station. Service frequency was maintained at 8 minutes between Nam Cheong Station and Tin Shui Wai Station and 15 minutes between Tin Shui Wai Station and Tuen Mun Station. The journey time was extended from 15 to 20 minutes until the close of traffic.

KCRC apologised for the inconvenience caused to affected passengers. The repair work to the damaged overhead line will be carried out overnight.

The Transport Department and the media were notified shortly after the incident. Public announcements and notices were made immediately to inform passengers of the service disruption at stations and inside train compartments. Staff were deployed at stations to provide assistance to passengers.