The Government has proposed to allow China Telecom Global Limited to install a submarine optical fibre cable of approximately 34.6 kilometres in length and 40 millimetres in diameter from Chung Hom Kok to the eastern boundary of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. This submarine cable is a section of the Hong Kong Americas (HKA) submarine cable network. The extent of the area of foreshore and sea-bed affected is described in a notice published in the Government Gazette today (March 20).
               
     The HKA is a new trans-Pacific optical fibre communications system which will connect Hong Kong and the United States. This HKA submarine cable system will span more than 13,000 km and further increase the bandwidth between the two places, reinforcing Hong Kong as a key communication hub in the Asia-Pacific region.
      
     The proposed works involve installation of the optical fibre submarine cable by a cable-laying barge using jet plough/jetting technique in deeper waters, and directly by divers in near-shore waters within an area of approximately 0.81 hectares of foreshore and sea-bed. The major part of the submarine cable will be buried in a trench of approximately 0.21 metres in width, at a target installation depth of approximately 5m below the sea-bed. The proposed works are scheduled to commence in the second quarter of this year and be completed in the third quarter.
      
     The notice and its related plan are posted near the site. The plan is also available for inspection at:
 
* Survey and Mapping Office of the Lands Department (23/F, North Point Government Offices, 333 Java Road, North Point, Hong Kong), where copies can be purchased on order;
 
* Southern Home Affairs Enquiry Centre of the Southern District Office (G/F, Ocean Court, 3 Aberdeen Praya Road, Aberdeen, Hong Kong);
 
* Islands District Office (20/F, Harbour Building, 38 Pier Road, Central, Hong Kong);
 
* Sai Kung Home Affairs Enquiry Centre of the Sai Kung District Office (G/F, Sai Kung Tseung Kwan O Government Complex, 38 Pui Shing Road, Hang Hau, Tseung Kwan O, New Territories); and
 
* Lands Department’s website (www.landsd.gov.hk) under Government Notices.
 
     Any person who considers that he or she has an interest, right or easement in or over the foreshore and sea-bed involved may submit a written objection to the Director of Lands, 20/F, North Point Government Offices, 333 Java Road, North Point, Hong Kong, within two months from the above-mentioned date, i.e. on or before May 20. The notice of such objection shall describe the interest, right or easement of the objector and the manner in which he or she will be allegedly affected.

Ends/Friday, March 20, 2020
Issued at HKT 11:30

NNNN