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Vivian Au

Kristen Cheung

Hong Kong authorities are accelerating the construction of the long-awaited Pak Shek Kok railway station to improve connectivity in the city’s emerging hi-tech hub, a think tank has said, as district councillors called for financial transparency on the project.
Their comments on Friday came a day after the Development Bureau revealed the first details of the plan to add the station to the East Rail line.
The MTR Corporation will build the station in exchange for two nearby land parcels to later develop private flats.
An initial idea to also build public housing near the station was dropped.
Think tank Our Hong Kong Foundation said the government aimed to complete the station as soon as possible to support the Hong Kong Science Park and fast-track the city’s innovation and technology (I&T) development.
“The government hopes to finish the station as soon as possible to support I&T development,” vice-president Ryan Ip Man-ki said.
He added that the MTR Corp might use modular integrated construction (MiC), where modules are built in factories and inspected before being assembled on-site, which would allow the station to be built much faster than through traditional methods.
Pak Shek Kok station was first mooted in 1990s and officially introduced in the government’s 2021 policy address. The stop will be located between Tai Po Market and University stations, making the Science Park more accessible by rail.
The East Rail line is a cross-harbour link connecting Admiralty to border crossings at Lo Wu and Lok Ma Chau.
Under the revised plan unveiled on Thursday, construction of the station is expected to begin in 2028 and be completed by 2033.
But some councillors at a Tai Po district council meeting questioned the project’s cost-effectiveness, while acknowledging that nearby residents welcomed the plan.
“What is the estimated construction cost of the station, and what is the projected land value of the sites?” district councillor Lo Hiu-fung said, raising questions that were echoed by other members.
Lo also suggested that the government provide more community facilities and supporting infrastructure for residents.
Authorities stated that the cost was pending the MTR Corp’s finalised design.
Officials sidestepped the questions on whether the government would grant additional land or financial help to the company in the event of cost overruns.
The two land parcels the MTR Corp will receive comprise the current sports ground of the Education University of Hong Kong and a site in Ma On Shan.
Low to medium-rise housing is expected on the sports ground to align with nearby development.
Permanent Secretary for Development Doris Ho Pui-ling defended the switch to building only private homes.
She said the area lacked the necessary community facilities for public flats, and building low to medium-density private homes was the most suitable use of the land, as it would align with the area’s existing development.
Public housing projects typically require more extensive supporting facilities for lower-income residents, so a lack of infrastructure is likely to affect their quality of life.
The revised proposal would not affect the government’s 10-year housing plan, Ho pledged.
“We already have sufficient land for our 10-year housing plan, so even without the public housing originally proposed at this site, it will not affect our supply,” she said, referring to the government’s target to build 420,000 homes, including 294,000 public flats, by 2036.
Ho also said the station would not significantly increase demand along the East Rail line, predicting a net uptick of 7,000 passengers, as most of the 60,000 projected daily commuters already using University station would simply switch to the new stop.
“The station sits between the Science Park and the residential cluster, which delivers the greatest benefit to residents working in the area,” she said.
“Pak Shek Kok has traditionally been a private housing area, so after considering all factors, we believe using the land for private housing is the most suitable choice.”
Ho noted the area’s basic infrastructure, including its water supply, drainage and sewage facilities, could only support private development after being upgraded.
Lawmaker Gary Chan Hak-kan said that the area had traditionally been used for private housing, agreeing with Ho that building similar homes would be a better fit and minimise the impact on the existing community.
He urged the government to use the project to plug long-standing gaps in community facilities, calling for a public market, a supermarket, care centres for the elderly and day care services for children.
“Residents have made clear these livelihood amenities are needed to make Pak Shek Kok a complete community, and the most important thing is for the government to reserve land for them early on,” Chan said.





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Hong Kong housing

An aerial view of the site for the proposed Pak Shek Kok station. Photo: Jelly Tse

Lawmaker Gary Chan has said building private homes will be a better fit and minimise the impact on the existing community there. Photo: Eugene Lee

A senior official has said the proposal is not expected to increase demand for the East Rail line. Photo: Eugene Lee

The project is expected to expand access to the Hong Kong Science and Technology Park. Photo: Sun Yeung

Pak Shek Kok station on East Rail line scheduled to open as early as 2033

An aerial view of Pak Shek Kok. Photo: Elson Li

Hong Kong approves first subdivided units meeting basic housing standards

Hayson Chan Hin-hay, chairman of the Hong Kong Basic Housing Units Operators Association, whose three subdivided units in a Sham Shui Po flat have been approved as basic housing units. Photo: Dickson Lee

Interior of a certified basic housing unit meeting minimum standards, including ventilation and fire safety, at Tsung Nga Building in Sham Shui Po. Photo: Dickson Lee

Landlords have until February to apply for a grace period before enforcement begins against uncertified subdivided units next March. Photo: Google map

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Government seeks to build station as soon as possible to support tech hub, think tank says, but district councillors call for financial transparency


Government seeks to build station as soon as possible to support tech hub, think tank says, but district councillors call for financial transparency.


Hong Kong economy

Hong Kong transport

New Pak Shek Kok railway station fast-tracked ‘to support I&T development’

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Government seeks to build station as soon as possible to support tech hub, think tank says, but district councillors call for financial transparency

Government seeks to build station as soon as possible to support tech hub, think tank says, but district councillors call for financial transparency