Fanling Bypass (Eastern Section) Opens, Enhancing Transport Efficiency in Northern Metropolis

Completion of first large-scale transport infrastructure in Northern Metropolis-Fanling Bypass (Eastern Section) further enhances North District transport network

The Fanling Bypass (Eastern Section) Commissioning Ceremony was held today (May 2), marking the successful completion of the first large-scale transport infrastructure project in the Northern Metropolis (NM), providing more direct and efficient road connections for North District.

The commissioning ceremony was officiated by the Secretary for Development, Ms Bernadette Linn. Other officiating guests included the Permanent Secretary for Development (Planning and Lands), Ms Doris Ho; the Permanent Secretary for Development (Works), Mr Ricky Lau; the Director of Civil Engineering and Development, Mr Michael Fong; the Director of the Northern Metropolis Co-ordination Office, Ms Linda So; and several Legislative Council Members.

Speaking at the ceremony, Ms Linn said that the completion and commissioning of the Fanling Bypass (Eastern Section) is an important milestone in the development of the NM. It demonstrates the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government's commitment to the principles of "infrastructure-led" and "urban-rural integration" when taking forward the NM development, further improving the road network in the district and making early preparations for the convenient commuting of residents in the future. She added that the project team actively utilised the country's innovative construction technologies, such as adopting the advanced "horizontal bridge rotation method" to construct the bypass bridge structure spanning across the East Rail Line railway; and in the construction of the associated Lung Yeuk Tau Interchange footbridge, applying China-made ultra-high strength S960 steel for the first time globally in a footbridge project. Through the NM development projects, the country's advanced construction technologies and materials are being promoted to the international stage. Ms Linn also expressed her hope that the construction projects of the NM can provide a stage for advanced technologies and materials from around the world, including Hong Kong, the Chinese Mainland, and overseas, to showcase their capabilities.

The Fanling Bypass (Eastern Section), with a total length of about 4 kilometres, is a dual two-lane carriageway. It comprises at-grade roads, underpasses, and viaducts. It starts at Fanling Highway near Kau Lung Hang in Tai Po, passing through the On Lok Tsuen Industrial Area and the Lung Yeuk Tau Interchange, extending along the Ng Tung River, and connecting to Shek Wu San Tsuen and the Fanling North New Development Area (NDA). It serves as an important bypass linking North District of the New Territories with the urban areas. Upon commissioning, motorists can travel between Fanling Lung Yeuk Tau, Luen Wo Hui, and Fanling Highway via the new route without passing through the existing roads in the town centres of Sheung Shui and Fanling, saving approximately 10 minutes of travel time during peak hours. The Fanling Bypass (Eastern Section) will also effectively divert the future traffic of the Fanling North NDA, alleviate the amount of traffic on the existing major roads in Fanling and Sheung Shui, improve the overall road conditions, and enhance the operational efficiency of the road network in North District.

The Fanling Bypass (Eastern Section) will open to the public at 8am tomorrow (May 3).

Completion of first large-scale transport infrastructure in Northern Metropolis-Fanling Bypass (Eastern Section) further enhances North District transport network Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Completion of first large-scale transport infrastructure in Northern Metropolis-Fanling Bypass (Eastern Section) further enhances North District transport network Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Completion of first large-scale transport infrastructure in Northern Metropolis-Fanling Bypass (Eastern Section) further enhances North District transport network Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Completion of first large-scale transport infrastructure in Northern Metropolis-Fanling Bypass (Eastern Section) further enhances North District transport network Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Completion of first large-scale transport infrastructure in Northern Metropolis-Fanling Bypass (Eastern Section) further enhances North District transport network Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

HKSAR LegCo strongly condemns foreign media organisation for misleading international society and whitewashing Lai Chee-ying's offenses

The following is issued on behalf of the Legislative Council Secretariat:

A spokesman for the Legislative Council ("LegCo") today (May 1) strongly condemned the release of a so-called press freedom index by a foreign media organisation and presentation of a so-called award to the national security offender Lai Chee-ying to sugarcoat his criminal acts, and smear the press freedom and rule of law in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region ("HKSAR"). LegCo strongly condemns and firmly opposes all untrue comments that defame the human rights and rule of law in the HKSAR.

The Legislative Council, Photo source: reference image

LegCo's spokesman stressed, "Hong Kong citizens enjoy freedom of the press and freedom of speech as protected under the Basic Law and the Hong Kong Bill of Rights. The Hong Kong National Security Law ("HKNSL") and the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance ("SNSO") clearly stipulate that human rights shall be respected and protected in safeguarding national security. The rights and freedoms, including the freedoms of the press, of speech and of publication, enjoyed by Hong Kong people under the Basic Law and the provisions of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights as applied to the HKSAR, are protected in accordance with the law. Facts speak louder than the words. Since the implementation of the HKNSL and the SNSO, Hong Kong society as a whole has thrived and returned to rationality and safety."

The National Security Law, Photo source: AP News

LegCo's spokesman emphasised, "Lai Chee-ying has been sentenced to 20 years in prison and the evidence is irrefutable. During the trial, a vast amount of evidence testified that for years, under the guise of journalism, democracy, and freedom, Lai Chee-ying utilised media platforms as political tools to incite hatred and commit acts that harmed both the country and Hong Kong. This included using media platforms to call for foreign forces to interfere in Hong Kong affairs and to impose sanctions on Chinese and Hong Kong officials. The court conducted a rigorous, fair, just and open trial lasting 156 days. The reasons for the verdict, spanning 855 pages, have been fully disclosed for public inspection; they set out in detail the judges' rigorous analysis of legal principles and evidence, and clearly explain the reasons for finding Lai Chee-ying and the three defendant companies guilty. The judgment also pointed out that Lai Chee-ying was not on trial for his political views or beliefs. The court's conviction is well-reasoned and sound, fully demonstrating that the court makes rulings strictly in accordance with the law and evidence, free from any interference."

Lai Chee-ying, Photo source: AP News

LegCo's spokesman said, "As emphasised by the Director of the Hong Kong and Macao Work Office of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council,Mr Xia Baolong,in his speech on this year's National Security Education Day, Hong Kong's transition from chaos to order, and from order to prosperity, profoundly demonstrates that there is no development without security, and without security, everything is out of the question. Only by holding the bottom line of security can we achieve development and win the future."

LegCo's spokesman reiterated, "LegCo will continue to firmly fulfil its constitutional responsibilities, support the SAR Government's administration in accordance with the law, uphold the rule of law and ensure the steadfast and successful implementation of 'one country, two systems'. LegCo urges the international community to recognise the facts and immediately stop making any groundless, fact-distorting, misleading and malicious attacks against Hong Kong."