LCQ11: Promotional works on Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong Express Rail Link
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Question:
The Government announced on July 25 this year the arrangement for the implementation of Hong Kong and Mainland customs, immigration and quarantine procedures in respect of the Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong Express Rail Link (XRL) at the West Kowloon Station (co-location arrangement), and has been promoting, through various means, XRL and the aforesaid arrangement to members of the public. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
(1) of the total number of publicity channels through which the Government has employed to promote XRL and the co-location arrangement since July 25 this year, as well as the details of the various publicity channels and the expenditure incurred;
(2) given that the Government has entrusted the MTR Corporation Limited to produce television infomercials and conduct roving exhibitions in various districts, so as to enhance public understanding of the XRL project, of the details of such publicity efforts (including the amount of expenditure incurred, and whether such expenses are met by public funds); whether the Government will provide the public with a copy of the entrustment agreement; and
(3) whether it has formulated plans or a timetable to launch new publicity initiatives for XRL and the co-location arrangement; if so, of the details and the relevant estimates of expenditure?
Reply:
President,
My consolidated reply to the Hon Claudia Mo's question is as follows:
To enhance public understanding of the Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong Express Rail Link (XRL) and the clearance procedures under the co-location arrangement, the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) has been introducing the XRL project and the Government's proposal for the co-location arrangement to the community through various channels since this July. Apart from distributing promotional booklets and pamphlets as well as displaying posters in various districts, we have also been broadcasting promotional audio-clips and videos at radio stations, television stations and government venues, as well as disseminating information through Facebook to introduce the XRL project and the co-location arrangement to the public. The relevant materials have been uploaded to news.gov.hk and the website of the Transport and Housing Bureau for public reference. As at September 30, 2017, the total expenditure of relevant promotional efforts is around $1,163,200.
On the other hand, the MTR Corporation Limited (MTRCL), which is entrusted by the HKSAR Government to act as the project manager in implementing the Hong Kong Section of the XRL, has also produced television infomercials and conducted roving exhibitions in various districts, as well as arranging different promotional activities at suitable junctures, such as inviting Members of the Legislative Council to tour the facilities of the Hong Kong Section of the XRL on August 2, 2017 and conducting an open day of the Shek Kong Stabling Sidings for the public to view the XRL trains from October 7 to 8, 2017, so as to deepen the understanding of different sectors of the community towards the XRL project. Relevant expenditures are covered in the entrustment fee paid by the Government to the MTRCL in delivering the project of the Hong Kong Section of the XRL, and no additional expense from the public purse is involved.
As to whether other promotional works on the XRL project and the co-location arrangement will be conducted in future, we will consider the matter in the light of the actual circumstances.
Ends/Wednesday, October 25, 2017
Issued at HKT 16:35
Issued at HKT 16:35
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