An express railway linking Guangzhou with Hong Kong through Shenzhen would take about 40 minutes' travel time -- about half of what it takes now.

Guangdong Governor Huang Huahua has expressed the determination of the provincial and Hong Kong governments to build the railway linking the Pearl River Delta with the special administrative region (SAR).

Speaking to a group of Hong Kong entrepreneurs Wednesday night, Huang said Guangzhou, Shenzhen and Hong Kong authorities were studying the technical issues, border crossings and costs related to the proposal.

The project would be subject to the approval of the Central Government.

Guangdong planning officials have indicated the proposed express rail link would not run parallel with the existing Guangzhou-Kowloon Railway. According to an initial plan, the express line would start from the planned Panyu railway station in Guangzhou, run through the Nansha Development Zone, cross the Pearl River and link Dongguan and Shenzhen cities before extending to Hong Kong.

The new rail link, together with a giant bridge linking Hong Kong, Zhuhai and Macao, was on the agenda of a high-level meeting between Guangdong and Hong Kong officials Tuesday.

The two sides agreed to begin construction on the projects as soon as possible as part of efforts to foster the greater Pearl River Delta into a "super economic center."

(Shenzhen Daily August 8, 2003)