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Zhongshan-Shenzhen link 'would not hit HK'

Assurance given by Shenzhen mayor, as Guangdong official denies plans to abort Hong Kong-Macau-Zhuhai bridge

A proposed transport link between Zhongshan and Shenzhen would not marginalise Hong Kong, Shenzhen mayor Xu Zongheng said yesterday.

His comments came as a senior Guangdong official dismissed suggestions that there were plans to abort the Hong Kong-Macau-Zhuhai bridge, said to be under threat from a proposed Zhongshan-Shenzhen link.

Mr Xu, who started a three-day visit to Macau yesterday, said the feasibility of building a bridge between Zhongshan and Shenzhen had been studied at a 'technical level'.

In February, the South China Morning Post reported that an underwater tunnel between Zhongshan and Shenzhen had been endorsed by the Guangdong government, but experts said the project could scuttle the long-awaited Hong Kong-Macau-Zhuhai bridge.

But Mr Xu said yesterday the Guangdong government had not formally endorsed the idea of building a bridge between Shenzhen and Zhongshan.

'We are conducting preliminary feasibility studies and have not made any final decision. '[We are] discussing it at technical level.'

The mayor stressed that it was important to connect the Pearl River Delta cities with more transportation channels.

He believed the proposed Zhongshan-Shenzhen bridge would not marginalise Hong Kong.

'No mainland city can match Hong Kong's international status. It is a critical task of Shenzhen to support Hong Kong's prosperity and stability,' he said.

The idea of a tunnel or a bridge between Shenzhen and Zhongshan has been seen by analysts as a threat to the proposed Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau bridge.

Vice-governor of Guangdong, Tang Bingquan , said he had not received any proposal from the Shenzhen public regarding a link between the city and Zhongshan.

He dismissed rumours that the proposed Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau bridge would be aborted.

'I think the project has been delayed for all the wrong reasons. I hope we can find the most scientific and economical solution. I believe with the support of the central government, and the hard work of the three parties - Hong Kong, Zhuhai and Macau - the bridge will be built eventually.

'As for how [the financing] will happen, and how the bridge will be constructed, I think it should be carried out from a scientific and pragmatic point of view.'

Mr Xu is leading a delegation of key officials, including vice-mayors and bureau heads, in the Shenzhen government's first formal visit to Macau since the 1999 handover of the former Portuguese enclave.

The Shenzhen and Macau governments signed four agreements yesterday on co-operation in tourism, trade and finance.

The delegation will end its Macau visit tomorrow and head to Hong Kong for a financial forum and meeting with business leaders.

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