Chen Meibao: Hong Kong is actively promoting two cross-border railway projects and currently has no plans to build another high-speed rail station.

The Director of the Hong Kong Transport and Logistics Bureau, Chen Meibao, stated in a written response to a legislator's question that the Hong Kong government and the Shenzhen authorities are actively promoting two cross-border railway projects, the Hong Kong-Shenzhen Western Railway and the North Ring Line branch. Both projects serve dual functions of cross-border travel and local commuting in Hong Kong, fully integrating the railway networks of Hong Kong and Shenzhen, and supporting the development of the northern metropolitan area of Hong Kong. The West Kowloon Station has 15 platforms, with 10 currently in operation to meet operational demands. There are currently no plans to build another high-speed rail station. Chen Meibao mentioned that the Hong Kong section of the Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong High-Speed Rail (high-speed rail) was put into service on September 23, 2018, connecting to the national high-speed rail network of over 50,000 kilometers. Starting in January 2026, the mainland stations directly accessible from West Kowloon Station in Hong Kong have increased from an initial 44 to the current 110, with at least 212 train services running daily. Currently, the high-speed rail carries an average of over 90,000 passengers per day, with average daily passenger numbers exceeding 100,000 during peak travel periods such as holidays and weekends. On April 4, 2026 (during the Easter and Qingming Festival holidays), a new high of 148,700 passengers was recorded in a single day. She noted that passenger volume predictions for different years before the Hong Kong section of the high-speed rail opened in 2018 were based on the latest planning data and developments between Hong Kong and the mainland, using population and socio-economic data at the time. Following the opening of the high-speed rail, the government and MTR CORPORATION have continuously monitored changes in passenger volume and adjusted border resources, facilities, and services accordingly. In terms of operations, MTR CORPORATION has closely monitored actual passenger numbers and market demand, and has regularly consulted with mainland authorities to adjust operating schedules or train frequencies as needed, such as operating additional short-haul services to popular stations during holidays to meet passenger demand. As the operator of the Hong Kong section of the high-speed rail, MTR CORPORATION has continuously upgraded station facilities and high-speed rail services according to passenger travel patterns and needs, providing passengers with a more comfortable travel experience. The Hong Kong government has closely monitored the operation of the West Kowloon port of the high-speed rail, enhancing customs clearance capacity by flexibly deploying manpower, utilizing information technology, and improving port facilities to provide greater convenience to cross-border travelers. The National "Five-Year Plan" proposes to promote the coordinated development of rail transit, strengthen regional infrastructure interconnectivity, support the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area into a world-class city cluster, accelerate the construction of the northern metropolitan area, and specifically advance the preliminary work of the Hong Kong-Shenzhen Western Railway. The government and MTR CORPORATION will continue to closely monitor the operation and passenger numbers of the Hong Kong section of the high-speed rail and West Kowloon Station, reviewing and optimizing station and port facilities as needed, including improving the layout of ticketing and waiting halls, station shops, seating facilities, and timely adding direct stations in response to the development of the national high-speed rail network to meet passenger needs and long-term high-speed rail development.