*********************************************************
The Secretary for Security, Mr Ambrose S K Lee, today (July 22) on behalf of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government (HKSARG) attended a signing ceremony in Shenzhen for the agreement to entrust the Shenzhen Municipal People's Government with the construction of the boundary crossing facilities of the Hong Kong side at the Hong Kong-Shenzhen Western Corridor (HK-SWC).
The Executive Vice-Mayor of Shenzhen Municipal People's Government, Mr Xu Zongheng, represented the Shenzhen Municipal People's Government at the ceremony.
During the ceremony, the Secretary for Security thanked the Shenzhen authorities for their co-operation and efforts in taking forward the co-location of customs and immigration facilities at the new boundary crossing at the HK-SWC.
Mr Lee said that Hong Kong would co-operate fully with Shenzhen in coordinating the construction of the boundary crossing.
"This is to ensure that the design, construction and operation of the facilities will meet the technical requirements and management standards of both sides," he said.
The Executive Vice-Mayor of Shenzhen Municipal People's Government, Mr Xu Zongheng, said that in compliance with the principle of "One Country, Two Systems", the two governments would ensure the smooth completion of the boundary crossing facilities of the HK-SWC as soon as possible with mutual trust, sincere co-operation, respect for laws and science, enhanced efficiency, high standard and good quality.
The two sides signed the entrustment agreement on the design of the boundary-crossing facilities of the Hong Kong side at the HK-SWC on February 5 this year. The design work is now in full steam and has set a solid foundation for the construction works ahead.
After detailed study and discussions, both sides also agreed to entrust the construction works to the Shenzhen Municipal People's Government. This will further strengthen the technical collaboration and co-operation of the two sides. Taking into account the settlement rate of the reclaimed land and the need to ensure quality works, the two sides agreed that a longer time is required for the completion of construction works by end July 2006.
The customs and immigration facilities of the two sides will be co-located at the new boundary crossing to provide convenient, efficient and safe services to passengers and vehicles in a comfortable environment.
The Acting Deputy Secretary for Security, Mr Alan Chu, and the Vice Secretary General of Shenzhen Municipal People's Government and Director of the Shenzhen-Hong Kong Western Corridor Project Office, Mr Tang Yaozhi, represented both sides to sign the agreement.
Ends/Thursday, July 22, 2004
NNNN
