(To watch the 2020 Policy Address speech with sign language interpretation, click here.)

The Government is taking resolute actions to enhance local transport infrastructure in its quest to provide reliable and affordable transport services to the public.

Delivering her Policy Address today, Chief Executive Carrie Lam said the Government is implementing a number of new railway projects that include the Tung Chung Line Extension, Tuen Mun South Extension and the Northern Link.

The Mass Transit Railway Corporation will also submit the South Island Line (West) project proposal to the Government by the end of this year to tie in with the Wah Fu Estate redevelopment and the Invigorating Island South initiative.

Mrs Lam said the Government will carry out two strategic studies, one on traffic and transport and the other on road and railway infrastructure, to complement land development planning and housing supply, and support sustainable development.

To tie in with the further development of Energizing Kowloon East initiative, the Government suggests implementing a multi-modal, environmental-friendly linkage system in the district.

It would include developing a travellators network linking up Kai Tak, Kowloon Bay and Ngau Tau Kok, and constructing an elevated landscape deck to connect the MTR Kwun Tong Station.

To support “green recovery”, the Environment Bureau is adopting various new environmental protection measures.

Such plans include subsidising existing private residential estates to install electric vehicle charging-enabling infrastructure in car parks. In addition to improving the local environment, the move would also create green employment and economic opportunities. 

Mrs Lam also announced that the Government will strive to achieve carbon neutrality before 2050. To this end, the Government will update the Hong Kong’s Climate Action Plan in mid-2021 to set out more proactive strategies and measures to reduce carbon emissions.

She also pointed out that the Environmental Protection Department has progressively launched complementary measures to promote waste reduction and recycling.

As an example of that effort, the Government plans to invite tenders to develop a modern pulping facility at EcoPark in Tuen Mun in the first half of 2021. Its goal is to handle the recycling of waste paper and transform waste to resources more effectively.