TNAG-2791-FCO40-4030-Relations-between-Hong-Kong-and-China.-With-maps-1993 — Page 73

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Requests for 24-hour Opening of the Border

5.

24-hour

The business community has been pressing for

operation of the border crossing points. The

container trade is especially keen on this proposal, since

the Kwai Chung Container Port already operates around the

This matter was also raised by the LegCo Transport

As an interim improvement, the

clock.

Panel in February 1993.

Panel Members asked that consideration be given to

advancing the border opening

times by half an hour to

6:30 a.m. and putting back the closing time by half an hour

to 10:30 p.m., within the next 6 months.

the minutes of that meeting is at Annex C.

An extract from

6.

would help

The proponents of a 24-hour border argue that it

spread the flow of traffic over a longer period

each day and therefore relieve congestion during peak

Furthermore, the greater convenience of 24-hour

opening would facilitate freight movement and generate more

trade and travel between Hong Kong and China.

demand for cross-border traffic

hours.

The

counter-view is that the

around the clock is as yet unproven, it could cause a noise

nuisance to villagers living in the vicinity of the border

(particularly near Man Kam To),

and even with a 24-hour

border

tailbacks during peak hours are inevitable.

sets out the arguments.

Annex D