Secretary for Transport & Housing Eva Cheng says a smooth and speedy resolution of the land clearance issue regarding the Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong Express Rail Link project is in everyone's interest.

Speaking after today's High Speed Rail Symposium, Ms Cheng said it is important for Hong Kong to tap into the Mainland's national high-speed railway network as soon as possible.

"I think the express rail link is definitively a strategic project. To proceed expeditiously is the community's consensus," she said. "It is important we tap into the Mainland network. So in this regard, I think a smooth and speedy resolution of the land clearance issue is in everybody's interest."

She will continue to listen to the views of those affected by the land clearance, and look at various compensation packages.

"What we would like to do is give them options to respect their way of living and to allow them to exercise options in such a way that, on the one hand, it is a reasonable use of public funds, on the other hand, the villagers will feel it is acceptable."