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CS learns more about cross-boundary students (with photos/video)
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     The Chief Secretary for the Administration, Mr Henry Tang, visited the Lo Wu and Lok Ma Chau Control Points today (June 16) to learn more about clearance services for cross-boundary students attending schools in Hong Kong, which will be useful reference for the Government's review of the population policy.

     On his arrival at the departure hall of the Lo Wu Control Point during rush hours before school, Mr Tang inspected the designated e-Channels and counters for cross-boundary students to gain a deeper understanding of the clearance arrangements, number and distribution of students, issuance and use of Closed Area Permits by cross-boundary students, etc.

     At Lo Wu Station Road, Mr Tang saw for himself nanny coaches taking cross-boundary students and asked about the progress of the widening works along the affected roadway and its traffic flow capacity.

     Mr Tang learned that the number of cross-boundary students using the Lo Wu Boundary Control Point via Lo Wu Station Road is ever increasing, placing pressure on Lo Wu Station Road.  The works for widening a section of Lo Wu Station into are currently in progress.  Since there are slopes and station platform on the two sides of the road and that the only emergency vehicles exit is not blocked, widening works cannot be carried out along the affected roadway due to geographical constraints.  For safety reason, the chance of increasing traffic capacity there is slim.

     Mr Tang said that safe clearance for cross-boundary students is the Government's primary concern.  The Government has to review from time to time the reasonable number of Closed Area Permits issued for cross-boundary students and school coaches while trying its utmost to facilitate students.

     The next stop was the Lok Ma Chau (Huanggang) Boundary Control Point where Mr Tang gained a better understanding of the operation of point-to-point school coach services and the preliminary proposal of assigning more pick up and drop off points for school coaches and on-board clearance services.  He urged the relevant departments to expedite studying measures to divert cross-boundary students to alleviate the pressure faced by the Lo Wu and Lok Ma Chau Spur Line Control Points.  He added that the on-board clearance services can provide for more convenient and safe cross-boundary school coach services.

     Speaking after the visit, Mr Tang expected that there will be a continued growth in the number of cross-boundary students.  He said that the Government should prepare well in advance and increase facilities, divert student flow and enhance existing arrangements in short to medium run for the safety and convenience of cross-boundary students.  In the long run, the Government has to study how to improve the quality of education under the project on Hong Kong Children Classes and the associated facilities as well as increase the quotas under the project for Hong Kong children living in the Mainland.  It can encourage more Hong Kong children living in the Mainland to receive education modelled on Hong Kong system and save them from hardship caused by frequent cross-boundary journeys.

     At the Lo Wu Control Point, Mr Tang was briefed by immigration officers on measures adopted to facilitate use of electronic Exit-Entry Permits for Travelling to and from Hong Kong and Macao by Mainland residents.

     The Immigration Department plans to upgrade the Immigration Control Automation System Enhancement Programme and enhances its handling capacity at control points to cope with the plan by Mainland authorities to introduce, in phases from 2012, the electronic Exit-entry Permit for Travelling to and from Hong Kong and Macao.  Eligible frequent visitors from the Mainland will be allowed to use e-Channels after enrolment in 2012.

Ends/Thursday, June 16, 2011
Issued at HKT 21:53

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