Relaxation of frontier closed area restriction of Sha Tau Kok Town（2017/05/24）(Supplementary)

MRYIU SI-WING (in Cantonese): President, in recentyears, in order to cope with the huge flow of people between the Mainland andHong Kong, the Government has invested an enormous amount of capital in thedevelopment of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge, Liantang boundary controlpoint, Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong Express Rail Line, and so on. But over along period of time, the Government has taken a most conservative attitudetowards the opening up of the Sha Tau Kok FCA. I think the Government obviouslywanted to avoid troubles or failed to progress with the times, or I would evensay that it has adopted double standards. 

In the main reply the authorities statedthat the prime consideration is the lack of a physical barrier separating thetwo places along the border or concern about not meeting the securityrequirements. But making consideration with an open mind or from the angle ofproviding convenience to the public, I think the authorities should furtherlook into how the border facilities in Sha Tau Kok can be increased or how therestrictions can be relaxed. Can the Secretary undertake to conduct furtherstudies in this respect and even draw up a timetable for gradually opening upthe area, so that we can see the future direction?

SECRETARYFOR SECURITY (in Cantonese): I thank Mr YIU for hissupplementary question. I think the geographic features of Sha Tau Kok Town area major decisive factor. Currently there is no official immigration controlpoint at Chung Ying Street in Sha Tau Kok Town and as a matter of fact, thesetting up of a control point is out of the question for geographicallimitations. We can look at the relevant example in the Mainland. At present,in the Sha Tau Kok district on the Mainland side, their control point islocated not at Chung Ying Street either but at a place farther away. This isbecause of geographical restrictions. I hope Mr YIU will understand thatgeographical restrictions cannot be tackled easily by administrative measures.This problem does not exist only today. We will continue to keep this in viewand if some good methods can be identified, I believe any government will thentake them into consideration.