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Following is a question by the Hon James Tien and a reply by the Secretary for Security, Mr Ambrose S K Lee, in the Legislative Council today (June 16):
Question:
Residents in Sha Tau Kok have reflected to me that they have been asking for opening up the Frontier Closed Area (FCA) over the years to alleviate their inconvenience and facilitate public access to the area, with the aim of improving the economy and employment of the local people. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council whether:
(a) it has considered a total or partial opening up of the Sha Tau Kok FCA; if it has, of the details and timetable, if not, the reasons for that;
(b) it has assessed the impact of opening up Sha Tau Kok FCA on its economy, employment and tourism etc; if it has, of the assessment results; if not, the reasons for that; and
(c) it has considered developing Sha Tau Kok into a recreational and diversified transit town, so as to relieve the pressure of passenger flow in other immigration control points?
Reply:
Madam President,
The Security Bureau (SB) has reported to this Council that in view of the concerns in the community about the Frontier Closed Area (FCA) (including Sha Tau Kok) and boundary security considerations, the Administration is reviewing the coverage of the entire FCA and would inform this Council and interested parties of the outcome as soon as the review and the related work are completed. In the process of the review, some Members and residents in Sha Tau Kok have suggested that the Administration should give priority consideration to opening up the Sha Tau Kok pier for use by tour groups under the existing FCA policy to enable tourists to access Kat O and neighbouring islands via a more direct route so as to facilitate development of eco-tourism in the area. SB and the departments concerned have been exchanging views with local residents on the arrangements.
The reply to the three parts of the question is as follows:
(a) SB and the Police have actively considered local residents' proposals to open up the Sha Tau Kok pier for tourism development. We are of the view that a limited number of tourists in organized tour groups may be allowed to use the Sha Tau Kok pier to gain access to Kat O and neighbouring islands for sightseeing during weekends and public holidays, on condition that boundary security will not be compromised. To implement these arrangements, ancillary facilities must be in place and security measures have to be enhanced at appropriate locations to ensure that the Police can effectively maintain public order and safeguard the integrity of the boundary of administration.
The Police have drawn up proposed arrangements for opening up the Sha Tau Kok pier and the required security measures. Local residents were consulted on the proposed arrangements through the North District Office in August last year.
Up to now, we have yet to reach consensus with local residents on the details of the whole set of arrangements. We will continue our liaison with the local representatives on the proposals with a view to identifying options which are acceptable to all parties and agreeing on a timetable for the implementation of the arrangements for opening up the Sha Tau Kok pier.
(b) In considering the arrangements for opening up the Sha Tau Kok pier for use by tour groups, our main concern is how to strike a proper balance between provision of more convenient access to Kat O and neighbouring islands for tourists and effective maintenance of boundary security. We believe that the impact of the arrangements on the economy, employment and tourism etc of Sha Tau Kok should be positive but have not specifically conducted any detailed assessment in this regard.
(c) A preliminary study on the future development of the FCA (including Sha Tau Kok) has been conducted under the "Hong Kong 2030: Planning Vision and Strategy" study ("HK 2030" study). That study indicates that only three sites, namely the Lok Ma Chau River Loop Area, Heung Yuen Wai and Kong Nga Po, in the FCA have potential for development.
Given Sha Tau Kok's proximity to mountains, highlands and sites of ecological and conservation value, the study proposes to maintain the existing planning intent, i.e. rural development with the land mainly reserved for villages, rural houses and related community facilities. It is worthwhile to note that the capacity of Sha Tau Kok Road is limited. The development of Sha Tau Kok into a recreational and diversified transit town may mean a sharp increase in passenger and vehicular flow, which will exert pressure on the transport facilities and environment. The widening of Sha Tau Kok Road would imperil the existing rural environment along the two sides of the Road. Drawing reference from the Tourism Commission's study report entitled "Development of Tourism in the Northern New Territories", the "HK 2030" study indicates that so long as boundary security is maintained and cross-boundary traffic is not impeded, Sha Tau Kok and its vicinity is suitable for development of low volume eco-tourism activities.
The development of the FCA (including Sha Tau Kok) involves a wide range of considerations and requires coordination amongst the policy areas of security, environmental protection, transport and infrastructure. In view of the far-reaching implications of the development of the FCA, the relevant departments have to conduct detailed studies. Under the existing conditions, the Government has no plan for large-scale development in Sha Tau Kok.
Ends/Wednesday, June 16, 2004
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