(To watch the full press conference with sign language interpretation, click here.)

The proposed rail link between the northwestern part of Hong Kong and Qianhai in Shenzhen is necessary as the Government strives to create land for development.

Chief Executive Carrie Lam made the remarks at a press conference on the Policy Address this afternoon, explaining the importance of the Hong Kong-Shenzhen Western Railway that will link up Hung Shui Kiu/Ha Tsuen and Qianhai.

The link is one of the five railway projects proposed to form the backbone of the Northern Metropolis plan unveiled today by Mrs Lam.

“In order to create land for development and in order to ensure that there will be an easier flow of people and goods, you need good transport connectivity.

“To suggest that we do not need this connection between Hung Shui Kiu and Qianhai, I am afraid you are going against public opinion.

“Everybody who talks about the opportunities of Shenzhen and Qianhai for Hong Kong has been urging the Government to commit to this rail link.”

The Chief Executive added that it will take only 10 to 15 minutes for Hung Shui Kiu residents to travel to Qianhai via the Hong Kong-Shenzhen Western Railway, and vice versa.

“This is not a very long railway. If you look at the map, it becomes very logical that we should have a connection between the northwestern part of Hong Kong - that is Hung Shui Kiu/Ha Tsuen, Lau Fau Shan - and Qianhai because it is just across the bay.

“It is about 5km. It will take 10 minutes maybe, if there is a railway connection. It will take 10 to 15 minutes for a Hong Kong resident living in Hung Shui Kiu to go to work in Qianhai and vice versa.

“That is the importance and significance of this rail link. Without which, you would have to travel by car via the Shenzhen expressway, go into the boundary control point and then travel through the roads in Shenzhen to reach Qianhai. That is the difference.”