Hong Kong's first high-speed train makes maiden trip across border, as Carrie Lam says rail link will be ‘bright light’ on China’s calling card
Three years late and billions of dollars over budget, express train line to the mainland is finally set to welcome passengers
Hong Kong’s first high-speed train sped off on its maiden journey across the border at 11.26am on Saturday, with the city’s leader declaring that the mega project would be a shining light on China’s calling card.
Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor gave the ringing endorsement at the HK$84.4 billion (US$11.3 billion) Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong Express Rail Link opening ceremony, which was also officiated by Guangdong governor Ma Xingrui, before leading hundreds of guests to board the train.
"We will continue to improve on matters related to railway safety, operation and management, as well as passenger experience, such that the Hong Kong section of the express rail can become a bright light on the country's business card," she said.
The connection between Hong Kong and the mainland's express rail network was now “gapless”, he said. "The commencement of the high-speed rail link significantly shortened the time-space distance between Hong Kong and the mainland.”
Saturday’s event came more than eight years and eight months – or over 3,000 days – after the Legislative Council first approved funding in January 2010. The first trains open to the public are set to start running on Sunday at 7am.