Hong Kong opens the first bullet train link with mainland China

Record ID: 1357393

  • Title: Hong Kong opens the first bullet train link with mainland China
  • Date: 22nd September 2018
  • Summary: HONG KONG, CHINA (SEPTEMBER 22, 2018) (REUTERS) ***WARNING CONTAINS FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY*** VARIOUS OF HONG KONG CHIEF EXECUTIVE CARRIE LAM, GOVERNOR OF GUANGDONG MA XINGRUI, AMONG OTHER GUESTS AND OFFICIALS, POSING FOR PHOTOS OUTSIDE THE TRAIN LAM AND MA, AMONG OTHER OFFICIALS, BOARDING THE TRAIN DIGITAL SCREEN READING (English) "G3102 HONG KONG WEST KOWLOON TO GUANGZHOU" STAFF STANDING ON THE PLATFORM TRAIN LEAVING STATION SIGN ON WALL READING (Mandarin & English) "HONG KONG WEST KOWLOON" TRAIN LEAVING STATION VARIOUS OF LAM AND MA, AMONG OTHER OFFICIALS, UNMASKING A PLAQUE GUESTS SEATED/TAKING PICTURE (SOUNDBITE) (Cantonese) HONG KONG CHIEF EXECUTIVE, CARRIE LAM, SAYING: "When this short 26-kilometre railway is connected to the mainland rail network, it will connect Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Hong Kong - the three leading cities that are undergoing rapid development in the Greater Bay Area. Besides improving the rapid passenger network and facilitating the economic, social, and cultural exchanges in the Greater Bay Area, it will also connect Hong Kong with the the capital economic region and the Yangtze River Delta Region through the Beijing-Guangzhou passenger dedicated railway and the Hangzhou-Fuzhou-Shenzhen passenger dedicated railway." LAM AND MA, AMONG OTHER GUESTS AND OFFICIALS, PRESSING HANDLE TO MARK COMMENCEMENT OF TRAIN SERVICE MEDIA FILMING (SOUNDBITE) (Mandarin) GOVERNOR OF GUANGDONG, MA XINGRUI, SAYING: "The official opening of the Hong Kong section of the Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong rail signifies a smooth joining of Hong Kong in the country's high speed rail network. It will greatly reduce the direct distance between Hong Kong and the mainland, and bring together Hong Kong, Shenzhen, and Guangzhou into a one-hour living zone. It will open up businesses, tourism, visitations to families and friends, and provide convenience and comfort services to the residents between the two lands." IMAGE OF THE HIGH SPEED RAIL AT THE BACK OF THE STAGE LAM PASSING THE TICKET GATE LAM, ACCOMPANIED BY OFFICIALS, WALKING THROUGH CUSTOMS HONG KONG IMMIGRATION OFFICIAL PRESENTING FACILITIES TO LAM HONG KONG IMMIGRATION FACILITIES VARIOUS OF MA AND LAM POSING FOR PHOTOS AND WALKING ACROSS THE BORDER LINE VARIOUS OF SIGNS AND OFFICERS AT CHINA IMMIGRATION INSPECTION VARIOUS OF CHINESE OFFICERS SALUTING AND WELCOMING LAM MA AND LAM AT CHINA IMMIGRATION INSPECTION COUNTER MA AND LAM PASSING CHINA IMMIGRATION INSPECTION COUNTER
  • Embargoed: 6th October 2018 07:44
  • Keywords: Hong Kong train bullet train link mainland China
  • Location: HONG KONG, CHINA
  • City: HONG KONG, CHINA
  • Country: Hong Kong
  • Topics: Government/Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVA0018YPIA11
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text:Top officials from Hong Kong and Guangdong boarded Hong Kong's first bullet train on Saturday (September 22) and attended an opening ceremony at the former British colony's both sleek and controversial new harbourfront railway station.
    Both Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam and Guangdong's governor Ma Xingrui spoke of how the new rail line will bring people from Hong Kong and the mainland together. But for critics this new station raises fears for the territory's cherished freedoms.
    Unlike other cross-border connections, the $11 billion train-project has stoked considerable controversy, with Hong Kong, a former British colony, having had to concede part of its jurisdiction to China for the first time.
    Passengers entering the modernist building will have their documents stamped by Chinese immigration officers and will be subject to Chinese law while zipping across Hong Kong at 200 kph (120 mph) to the mainland. Hong Kong and Beijing officials have justified the unusual arrangement as a one-off, while touting its logistical and economic benefits.
    Hong Kong and Beijing officials have justified the unusual arrangement as a one-off, while touting its logistical and economic benefits.
    But critics say the railway is a symbol of continuing Chinese assimilation of Hong Kong, which returned to Chinese rule in 1997 with guarantees of widespread autonomy and freedoms not enjoyed on the mainland, including an independent legal system.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2018. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
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