The Secretary for Transport and Logistics, Mr Lam Sai-hung, began a two-day visit to Guangzhou today (September 20) to better understand the latest developments in smart mobility there and to explore new opportunities for win-win co-operation in further promoting the interconnection and interoperability of transport networks in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA).
Upon arrival, he first met with Vice-Governor of Guangdong Province Mr Lin Tao and the Director of the Department of Transport of Guangdong Province, Mr Lin Feiming. Mr Lam briefed them on the latest situation of "Northbound Travel for Hong Kong Vehicles" and the aviation and logistics sectors in Hong Kong.
"Since the implementation of 'Northbound Travel for Hong Kong Vehicles' in July this year, the operation has been generally smooth and satisfactory. At present, more than 10 000 Hong Kong private cars have been permitted to cross the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge (HZMB) into Guangdong under the scheme for short-term business, family visits or sightseeing. The number of trips from Hong Kong to Guangdong has also increased steadily from about 3 000 per month in July to about 9 000 per month in August," Mr Lam said.
The Guangdong authorities and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government agreed to review the various arrangements for "Northbound Travel for Hong Kong Vehicles" from time to time, with a view to continuously improving the scheme and facilitating the public's travelling.
Mr Lam also shed light on the Labour Importation Scheme for Transport Sector launched by the HKSAR Government in July to relieve the acute manpower shortage in the aviation industry and the public light bus/coach trade. On the aviation side, the companies with approved labour importation quotas are now in the process of recruitment.
"The HKSAR Government expects that the vast majority of the Mainland workers to be imported under the scheme will reside in Zhuhai. Guangdong and Hong Kong will continue to liaise closely on the accommodation and transportation arrangements for the workers imported under the scheme to facilitate the movement of people and make good use of the HZMB," he said.
Moreover, Mr Lam mentioned that Hong Kong's air traffic is steadily recovering. The Airport Authority Hong Kong (AAHK) is actively pursuing the further development of intermodal transport, to allow more convenient land and sea access to Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) by passengers travelling to and from the GBA and other parts of the world. On the cargo side, the AAHK is actively developing the "air-sea cargo intermodal transport" between HKIA and other cities in the GBA to uphold Hong Kong's position as an international aviation hub.
In the afternoon, he met with Deputy General Manager of the China Railway Guangzhou Group Mr Bao Liqun. Both agreed that the Same-day Flexi-trip Arrangement implemented last month for passengers travelling between Hong Kong West Kowloon Station and Futian Station on the Hong Kong Section of the Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong Express Rail Link has met the needs of the travelling public. They also exchanged views on how to further improve the High Speed Rail service.
In addition, Mr Lam visited Guangzhou Automobile Group Co. Ltd (GAC) to understand the research and development work of the GAC's autonomous driving technology and new energy commercial vehicles in recent years. He also met with Deputy Secretary of the CPC Committee from the GAC Mr Chen Xiaomu to exchange views on the latest developments of the industry.
He will continue his visit to Guangzhou tomorrow (September 21) to inspect an automated parking system and visit companies specialising in the research and development of autonomous driving technology in Guangzhou.
Ends/Wednesday, September 20, 2023
Issued at HKT 18:34
