In response to media enquiries on the construction works of the Shatin to Central Link, a spokesman for the Transport and Housing Bureau (THB) responded today (June 9) as follows:
 
     On September 15, 2017, a representative from the China Technology Corporation Limited (China Technology) sent an email to the electronic mailbox of the Secretary for Transport and Housing's Office requesting to have a meeting with the THB, the MTR Corporation Limited (MTRCL), Leighton Contractors (Asia) Limited (i.e., the main contractor for the platform construction works of the Hung Hom Station), and the China Technology, for discussion on the construction issues of the Shatin to Central Link project. However, the email did not provide any further information.
 
     On the same day, the THB reached the China Technology and was informed that the issue concerned was related to the technical matters under the Contract No. 1112 of the Shatin to Central Link project. The China Technology agreed to directly contact with the professionals of the Highways Department for discussion.
 
     On September 15 and 16, 2017, the Highways Department made several calls and emailed to the China Technology to invite for discussion and further concrete information but was unsuccessful. 
 
     On September 18, 2017 (three days after), the China Technology sent an email to reply the THB saying that the suspected issue of concern had all been clarified. Noting that the issue was resolved, the China Technology considered that no further action was required by all parties. Therefore, the meeting originally requested by the China Technology did not proceed finally.
 
     Considering the China Technology aimed to discuss the technical matters under the Contract No.1112 of the Shatin to Central Link project, and agreed to directly contact with the professionals of the Highways Department for discussion, therefore, the Secretary for the Transport and Housing, Mr Frank Chan Fan, was not aware of this.
 
     On September 15, 2017, the Highways Department had made further enquiry with the MTRCL regarding the incident. However, on the same day, the MTRCL said that it required more information to make a response. Since the China Technology indicated in their reply to the THB on September 18, 2017 that there was no need to follow up and the China Technology did not provide related information at that time, the Highways Department could not further follow up on the matter.
 
     The MTRCL had not made any reports on this incident over the quality of the bar bending works process for the platform construction works of the Hung Hom Station to the Highways Department during the period from August 2015 to the end of May 2018. The Highways Department has required the MTRCL to submit an incident report as early as possible and no later than June 15.
 
     The Government is very concerned about the incident, and will thoroughly examine the incident report upon receipt from the MTRCL. In case the Government has found any misconduct from the incident report submitted by the MTRCL or the investigation conducted afterwards, we will handle it seriously and refer to law enforcement agencies for follow-up action. In the meantime, the Government does not rule out the setting up of an independent investigation committee to follow up the incident.
 
     According to the Entrustment Agreement signed by the MTRCL with the Government for the works of the Shatin to Central Link project, the qualifications of the main contractors and sub-contractors employed by the MTRCL shall comply with the MTRCL's standards required in the implementation of railway projects.

Ends/Saturday, June 9, 2018
Issued at HKT 20:23

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