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    Following is a transcript (English portion) of the questions and answers session of the media briefing by the Secretary for the Environment, Transport and Works, Dr Sarah Liao, at CGO West Wing this afternoon (June 30):

Reporter: Could you describe the decision and if you need any financial injection into the MTRC?

Dr Liao: The Executive Council has decided to ask the MTRCL to proceed with further investigation on the West Island Line and this will involve the collaboration between the Government and the MTRCL to decide on the extent, the cost, the time table and the overall planning of the West Island Line.  This line will connect the Western District to the Central District where at the moment; with the traffic in the waterfront, the time taken for travelling is about 15 to 25 minutes.  With the new line, it is hoped that the travelling time taken will be reduced to (no more than) eight minutes. And we think this would be a great advantage in terms of facilitating transport as well as its economic benefits.
 
    As far as the South Island Line and the Route 4 is concerned, we are still waiting for the Planning Department's recent review on tourism development and commercial development in the Southern District as well as the redevelopment of the Ocean Park by the end of this year before we would make any further decision on these two projects.

Reporter: ... Please comment on if there is any need for financial injection?

Dr Liao: This is one of the most important points that we would be discussing with MTRC as regards to the cost of this railway. And we are not in a position to disclose it at the moment.

Reporter: What is the cost (of the railway)...?

Dr Liao: Well, MTRC has the estimate.

Reporter: How would you describe your future working relation with the new CS?

Dr Liao: I look forward to a good working relationships and to benefit from his 30-year experience of public administration.

Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.

Ends/Thursday, June 30, 2005
Issued at HKT 18:52

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