PAO (C) 1/4731/49
PAO (C) 2/1476/92
SPEAKING NOTE
(To hand over to NCNA on 5.6.93)
Opening Hours of Border Road Crossing Points
1.
I wish today to make some proposals on how Guangdong and Hong Kong can make fuller use of the three vehicle crossing points along the border. The two sides agreed in 1992 to extend the opening hours at Man Kam To and Lok Ma Chau for goods vehicles by 21⁄2 hours. They are now open from 7.00am 10.00pm. Sha Tau Kok is open from 7.00am 6.00pm. But there is still congestion: up to 30 minutes at Lok Ma Chau and more
than 1 hour at Man Kam To.
-
A
2.
At the last Border Liaison Annual Review meeting in January I proposed that our two sides should consider three new measures: the further extension of opening hours; opening more kiosks at Lck Ma Chau; and making a further effort to divert
more vehicles from Man Kam To to Lok Ma Chau.
3.
Traffic using the crossing points has continued to increase. In the last 3 years, the daily average throughput
has risen by 15% per annum. During March and April this year, a daily average of about 20,000 vehicles crossed the border, an increase of 13% over the same period last year. We expect these rates of growth to be maintained at least for the next
few years.
4.
Vehicle throughput is expected to reach the capacity of the immigration and customs kiosks now in use at Lok Ma Chau early next year. It has already more or less reached capacity
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.