Call for underwater rail link to help commuters

Although Hong Kong has positioned itself as the “super-connector” between the mainland and the world, it’s not enough, Witman Hung Wai-man, principal liaison officer for Hong Kong affairs of the Shenzhen Qianhai Authority, said on Wednesday.
Speaking at a forum exploring opportunities for trade and investments as part of the Belt and Road Initiative, Hung said the SAR should actively participate in shaping new orders and standards for international trading in the new age of the Internet.
One aspect of the Belt and Road Initiative is to help mainland companies break into foreign markets. However, many of them are not familiar with the idea of doing business abroad. Hung believes professionals from Hong Kong, having relatively greater exposure, could guide these enterprises.
“We can leverage Qianhai and Shanghai as a channel for money to come in and out,” Hung said, “and also have professionals from Hong Kong help mainland companies go out.” Cross-border renminbi loans registered in Qianhai, which is part of the China (Guangdong) Pilot Free Trade Zone, have reached about 100 billion yuan ($15.7 billion).
Hung said he has observed many foreign companies, including Australian banks, going to the mainland to introduce their business.
As it is mostly small companies offering professional services in Hong Kong, Hung urged the government to unite these into a combined presence to attract the attention of mainland companies, and not miss out on the opportunities.
He said SAR officials had recently begun to take notice of the many opportunities in Qianhai. Earlier this month, Financial Secretary John Tsang Chun-wah led a group of Hong Kong businessmen to Qianhai to explore more economic opportunities and, last week, Chief Secretary for Administration Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor attended the annual meeting of the Qianhai advisory committee in Shenzhen.
Hung told China Daily that the recent close communication between companies in Shenzhen and Hong Kong will broaden cooperation and explore new opportunities. However, he admitted that much work was needed to facilitate more efficient cooperation.Improving transportation, he said, was the “number one” priority. He expects more than 50,000 people from Qianhai will need to commute to Hong Kong daily in the near future — a demand which current transportation and customs facilities in the two cities are unable to meet.
He proposed building an underwater railway from Hung Shui Kiu directly to Qianhai, especially since the water between Qianhai and Hung Shui Kiu is not very deep. He estimates the project will cost about 10 billion yuan.
“Shenzhen will build a transportation hub in Qianhai with customs, inspection and quarantine departments,” Hung disclosed.
grace@chinadailyhk.com
Source: http://www.chinadailyasia.com/2015-11/20/content_15347317.html