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Following is a reply by the Secretary for Security, Mr Ambrose S K Lee, to a question by the Hon Cheung Hok-ming on frontier closed area in the Legislative Council today (June 20):
Question :
In September last year, the Government announced a proposal to reduce the coverage of the Frontier Closed Area ("FCA") from about 2,800 hectares to about 800 hectares, and expected that the proposal would be implemented in 2010. In addition, the Government is conducting a planning study on developing a new boundary control point at Heung Yuen Wai, which is located on the land to be released, to link up Liantang in Shenzhen. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
(a) whether it has examined the possibility of expediting the timetable for the reduction in FCA's coverage;
(b) of the latest progress of the aforesaid study and whether any new satellite towns will be developed on the land released from the reduction in FCA's coverage; if not, of the reasons for that; and
(c) how the authorities will, while reducing FCA's coverage, preserve the cultural heritage in the land concerned.
Reply :
Madam President,
According to the results of the review of the coverage of the Frontier Closed Area (FCA), we propose to construct a secondary boundary fence along the existing boundary patrol road, thereby enclosing the road and ensuring that it and the existing boundary fence are protected from deliberate or inadvertent interference. Having secured the boundary patrol road, for most parts of the FCA, we will be able to reduce the FCA coverage to the narrow strip of the boundary patrol road and its north, plus the areas with points of crossing the boundary. This means a reduction of the land area of the FCA from about 2,800 to about 800 hectares. In late 2006, we consulted the relevant parties on our proposal. The local community generally welcomes the proposed reduction of the FCA coverage.
The following sets out the replies from the Security Bureau, Housing, Planning and Lands Bureau and Home Affairs Bureau to the Honourable Member's respective questions.
(a) Based on our proposal, the reduced FCA could formally be put in place after the completion of the entire secondary boundary fence. During our consultation, some parties have suggested that the reduction of the FCA coverage be proceeded with in phases so as to expedite the process of opening up the FCA. We are examining the technical feasibility and related arrangements of this proposal.
(b) In December 2006, the planning authorities commenced a joint study with the Shenzhen Municipal Government in respect of the planning of a Liantang/Heung Yuen Wai control point to examine the need, function and benefits of the new control point. We also embarked on a planning study in January this year to examine the relevant planning, environmental and engineering issues relating to the proposed new control point and the connecting roads within Hong Kong. The two planning studies are expected to be completed in late 2007 and early 2008 respectively.
A large part of the existing FCA comprises hilly terrain, sites of high ecological and conservation value, traditional villages and burial grounds. Developing satellite towns on the land to be released from the FCA would involve complicated issues and require careful consideration.
(c) The Planning Department has commissioned a consultancy firm to carry out a "Survey on Features with Cultural Heritage Value in Sha Tau Kok, Ta Kwu Ling and Ma Tso Lung areas". A thorough and comprehensive cultural characteristics inventory would be compiled with a view to ascertaining the cultural heritage resources in the areas.
The consultant is recording the cultural heritage, cultural environment and traditional customs in the study area through various means, including desk-top research, field survey and oral interview on historical information.
The Home Affairs Bureau and the Antiquities and Monuments Office of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department would provide assistance and views to the consultancy firm in respect of the survey from the heritage conservation perspective.
Ends/Wednesday, June 20, 2007
Issued at HKT 13:16
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