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In no doubt, Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong Express Rail project will definitely facilitate the social and economic integrations of Hong Kong with withies in the Pearl River Delta as well as other major cities in the mainland. It is estimated that a population of 60 million will reside within the 4 hours journey zone from HK terminus. The city, however, falls into hot debates on two dilemmas - Cost overrun issue and "Co-location of Boundary control".
興建高鐵原意本為香港市民提供更便捷方式往返內地。事實上全國近年高鐵網絡發展成熟，民眾對於高鐵帶來的方便亦表示讚賞。目前高鐵面對的爭議，主要來自超支和原來的「一地兩檢」設計。
Some lawmakers concern about such arrangement would allow mainland enforcement officers to perform their duties in Hong Kong. Co-location Boundary Control, however, is not a new concept as US and Canada are doing that for years, by created a joint nations Integrated Border Enforcement Teams.
In fact, Co-location Boundary Control is a crucial part of the entire project since such arrangement would allow passengers to go through immigration and customs procedures for both mainland and Hong Kong SAR in same place.
在「一地兩檢」問題上反對派認為，容許內地執法機構在香港境內作邊檢會破壞「一國兩制」。筆者認為實在言過其實。「一地兩檢」的安排在世界上其他地區也存在，美國於加拿大境內設置邊境檢查站，乘客只要在那裡做好過境檢查，便可一勞永逸直達美國。同樣，在香港的總站設置內地邊境檢查，它的作用就只限於邊境檢查而已。市民可以乘搭高鐵直達內地，何其便捷。如果「一地兩檢」未能落實，要在內地下車處理邊檢，亦即代表高鐵徹底失去它的原意。
Hong Kong's Mass Transit Railway Corporation (MTR) submitted its latest assessment report for the highly anticipated Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong Express Rail, admitting that the expenditure will reach 85 billion HKD. The estimated completion date has now been moved to the third quarter of 2018, with six months of buffer. The Government is responsible to explain clearly to the public about which party should bear the costs of liability on the delay and cost overruns. And the administration should play an active role to monitor the project to prevent unreasonable cost overruns, delays, and being slaughtered.■陳威雄
隔星期五見報
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