TLB Invites Industry Expressions of Interest for Hong Kong-Shenzhen Western Rail Link Project

Government invites market to submit expressions of interest for Hong Kong section of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Western Rail Link (Hung Shui Kiu-Qianhai)

To gather views from the market, the Transport and Logistics Bureau (TLB), together with the Highways Department (HyD), today (September 5) invites parties in the industry who are interested in participating in the Hong Kong section of the Hong Kong-Shenzhen Western Rail Link (Hung Shui Kiu-Qianhai) (HSWRL) project to submit expressions of interest (EOI) for the project.

A spokesman for the TLB said, "The construction of the HSWRL is a crucial initiative in support of the thorough implementation of the Outline Development Plan for the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA). It enhances infrastructure connectivity in the GBA and facilitates Hong Kong's better integration into national development. Coupled with the co-location customs clearance arrangement, the HSWRL will connect the metro networks in the western regions of Hong Kong and Shenzhen. A trip from Hung Shui Kiu to Qianhai will only take approximately 15 minutes, which will help foster the "one-hour living circle" in the GBA. The HSWRL is also an important transport infrastructure promoting the development of the Northern Metropolis, catering to the local travel demand in the Hung Shui Kiu/Ha Tsuen New Development Area as well as the Lau Fau Shan, Tsim Bei Tsui and Pak Nai areas."

The Government plans to implement the Hong Kong section of the HSWRL through open tender. The HyD commenced the investigation and design work for the Hong Kong section of the HSWRL in mid-2025 including statutory processes such as the environmental impact assessment and gazettal. The target is to have the Hong Kong section of the HSWRL ready for tendering in 2027 and to strive for completion of the construction works in 2034, followed immediately by integrated testing and commissioning to realise the common goal of the governments of Hong Kong and Shenzhen to commission the HSWRL in 2035.

The spokesman said, "The HyD held briefing sessions earlier on July 25, August 1 and August 7 in Shenzhen, Guangzhou and Hong Kong respectively to introduce details of the Hong Kong section of the HSWRL and matters relating to the invitation for EOI from the industry. We are thankful for the enthusiastic participation from the industry. More than 160 organisations from the industry participated in the three aforementioned briefing sessions and provided valuable perspectives and suggestions. We now formally invite the industry to submit EOI for the Hong Kong section of the HSWRL to provide further comments on various aspects including project scheme, procurement arrangement, financial arrangement, and implementation timetable. The feedback gathered from the EOI will allow the Government to have a better understanding of the market's views on the construction and operation of the Hong Kong section of the HSWRL to formulate more appropriate tender terms and details."

The deadline for submission of EOI is noon on October 31, 2025 (Friday). The HyD will conduct an online briefing session for exchanges of views with industry organisations interested in submitting an EOI. Details of the EOI invitation and briefing session can be found on the webpage of the Hong Kong section of the HSWRL project (hswrl.hk/).

The HSWRL is approximately 18.1 kilometres long, with the Hong Kong section and the Shenzhen section being about 7.3km long and 10.8km long respectively. The alignment will start from the west of Hung Shui Kiu Station under construction on the Tuen Ma Line, passing through Ha Tsuen and Lau Fau Shan, crossing Deep Bay and connecting to Qianhai via Shenzhen Bay Port. It is an underground railway line comprising a total of five stations, with a depot located in Ha Tsuen. To enhance the convenience of border crossing and travel experience, and fully leverage the attractiveness and efficiency of the cross-boundary railway, the governments of Hong Kong and Shenzhen have agreed to establish the co-location of the immigration and customs facilities in Shenzhen, with no immigration and customs facilities in Hong Kong.

Source: AI-found images

Incoming passenger convicted and jailed for importing duty-not-paid cigarettes

An incoming male passenger was sentenced to eight months' imprisonment and fined by the West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts today (January 14) for importing duty-not-paid cigarettes and failing to declare them to Customs officers, in contravention of the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance (DCO).

Customs officers intercepted the incoming male passenger, aged 41, at Hong Kong International Airport yesterday (January 13) and seized about 86 900 duty-not-paid cigarettes, with an estimated market value of about $391,000 and a duty potential of about $287,000, from his personal baggage. The passenger was subsequently arrested.

Customs welcomes the sentences. The custodial sentence has imposed a considerable deterrent effect and reflects the seriousness of the offences.

Customs reminds members of the public that under the DCO, cigarettes are dutiable goods to which the DCO applies. Any person who imports, deals with, possesses, sells or buys illicit cigarettes commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $2 million and imprisonment for seven years.

Members of the public may report any suspected illicit cigarette activities to Customs' 24-hour hotline 182 8080 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002).

Incoming passenger convicted and jailed for importing duty-not-paid cigarettes Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases