Secretary for Transport & Housing Eva Cheng has urged the Legislative Council to approve funding for the Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong Express Rail Link on January 8, so the city can share the economic benefits the line will bring.

Speaking after a three-hour Wuhan-Guangzhou trip on the Mainland express rail this morning, Ms Cheng said even if Hong Kong can complete the local section in 2015 as estimated, the Wuhan-Guangzhou section will have already been operating for five years and the Beijing-Guangzhou section two years.

The link's early construction, she said, will enable different sectors in Hong Kong to share its economic benefits early. Enterprises, regardless of their size, can expand their markets while tens of thousands of workers can consider finding jobs in places as far as central and southern China with travel times greatly cut.

Saying the construction cost hike is mostly due to global price inflation, and the site selection for the emergency rescue station has been made after thorough deliberation, Ms Cheng said different professional groups have found the cost reasonable and rail alignment viable.

She said she hoped LegCo will endorse funding as early as possible, adding the project should not be delayed.