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Following is a transcript of the Secretary for the Environment, Transport and Works, Dr Sarah Liao's stand-up session after officiating at the launching ceremony of country park publications today (July 13):

Reporter : Why is it suggested to use the West Rail as part of the Express Rail Link... ?

Dr Liao : The West Rail originally had the Northern Link in the planning. However, in its present form, it stopped at Kam Sheung Road without further extending to the border. The reason why we have to go for the Regional (Express) Line by using the West Rail is obvious. We have to make the best use of our resources and what has already been built can be slightly modified, adding a third rail to accommodate the Express Line. I think first of all, it can meet the demand for cross-border traffic and secondly it's already in the plan. We've already mapped out the alignment for the Northern Link, so it could get on board very quickly. That's why I am proposing this idea and discussing it with the Guangdong Authority.

Reporter : Any timetable?

Reporter : We don't have a plan yet but we want to move ahead with it as quickly as possible.

(Please also refer to the Chinese portion)

Ends/Tuesday, July 13, 2004

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