Chen Meibao: The Hong Kong-Shenzhen Western Railway is advancing the exploration and design work, with the goal of bidding for the Hong Kong section of the project in 2027

The Secretary for Transport and Logistics, Chen Meibao, stated that the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government is fully and orderly promoting and implementing a series of railway, major road, and smart green public transport system projects.

In terms of railways, the ongoing construction of the Tung Chung Line extension, Siu O Wan Station, Tuen Mun South Extension, Kwu Tung Station, and Hung Shui Kiu Station will be completed successively starting in 2027. An agreement for the first phase of the North Island Line project has also been signed with MTR Corporation, aiming to merge the main line and branch line of the North Island Line with new thinking and to strive for simultaneous opening by 2034 or earlier.

Regarding the Hong Kong-Shenzhen Western Railway (Hung Shui Kiu to Qianhai), exploration and design work is being advanced, with the goal of tendering for the Hong Kong section of the project in 2027. The Highways Department will also establish a dedicated team to focus on the approval process for cross-border railway projects, in order to facilitate the submission of construction plans for cross-border railway projects in the coming months.

Chen Meibao indicated that the government is also actively promoting three smart green public transport system projects in the new development areas of East Kowloon, Kai Tak, and Hung Shui Kiu/Xia Village. Innovative measures include encouraging new investors and operators to participate through open bidding and a "public transport-led development" model; introducing a new regulatory framework that is technology-neutral, universal, and standardized through legislation, to shorten the preparation time for introducing new systems and allow the government to quickly seize opportunities brought by technological breakthroughs; and simplifying building control procedures and establishing a one-stop platform to expedite the approval process.

Among them, the Kai Tak Smart Green Public Transport System project was tendered last October, while the two projects in East Kowloon and Hung Shui Kiu/Xia Village are planned to be tendered within this year. On the other hand, MTR Corporation has been invited to carry out detailed planning and design for the South Island Line (West) last year.

In terms of road infrastructure, Chen Meibao stated that an exploration study for the North Lantau Highway was initiated last March, and environmental and traffic impact assessments are currently underway, with the goal of tendering for the construction works of the New Tin section in 2027, aiming for completion by 2036 or earlier. Additionally, the exploration study for Route 11 has been largely completed, with the Qinglong Bridge project set to commence first, aiming for completion by 2033 or earlier.

Regarding the government's upcoming "Transport Strategy Blueprint," Chen Meibao mentioned that final preparations are currently underway, and the blueprint will establish three major themes, hoping to achieve "Enjoy the Journey," "Connect the City," and "Live the Travel," to set out strategies.

In promoting autonomous vehicles, Chen Meibao expressed the hope of achieving full automation and scaling in the future, aiming for commercial operations to serve both passenger and freight flows as soon as possible. The government will also encourage the industry to leverage the Hong Kong platform to explore overseas markets, especially right-hand drive markets. Hong Kong has recently successfully attracted several autonomous driving technology companies to establish R&D centers, test autonomous vehicles, and even list and raise funds in Hong Kong, all of which fully reflect Hong Kong's role as a stepping stone for international strategies, expanding autonomous vehicle technology to overseas markets.

The recently launched "Guangdong Vehicles Going South" policy serves as a reciprocal measure alongside the "Hong Kong Vehicles Going North" initiative. Chen Meibao noted that "Hong Kong Vehicles Going North" has been well received by Hong Kong citizens, with over 140,000 private cars from Hong Kong participating, meaning that one in every four eligible local vehicles has taken part