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The Task Force on Airport Co-operation between Hong Kong and Shenzhen formed by the governments of the two sides held its first formal meeting in Hong Kong today (January 17) to discuss initiatives to strengthen the co-operation of the airports in Hong Kong and Shenzhen. The Secretary for Transport and Housing, Ms Eva Cheng, and the Vice-Mayor of Shenzhen, Mr Zhang Siping, are co-chairs of the task force.
The task force endorsed the terms of reference, discussed in detail the co-operation initiatives and drew up specific work plans. It also agreed to establish two expert groups, one to pursue the rail link proposal and the other to pursue airport business co-operation. The two expert groups will report to the task force regularly.
On the rail link proposal, the task force agreed to commission a consultancy study and strive to complete the study in 2008 so the governments of the two sides would be able to take forward the project.
The Hong Kong Airport Authority and Shenzhen Airport (Group) Co Ltd briefed the task force on other airport business co-operation initiatives, including implementing measures to facilitate transfer of passengers and cargo at the two airports and examining other initiatives.
Ms Cheng and Mr Zhang said they were pleased with the progress made at the task force's first meeting. They said establishment of the task force was a milestone in co-operation between the two places. The sincerity and concerted efforts of the two sides would foster such co-operation.
The Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Henry Tang, and the Mayor of Shenzhen Municipal Government, Mr Xu Zongheng, co-chaired the Hong Kong/Shenzhen co-operation meeting on December 18, 2007. After the meeting, Hong Kong and Shenzhen signed a "Co-operation Agreement on Recently Initiated Major Infrastructural Projects", under which the task force was formed to study the feasibility of establishing a rail connection and other proposals on further co-operation that would realise the synergy between the two airports.
Ends/Thursday, January 17, 2008
Issued at HKT 16:40
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