The Legislative Council's Finance Committee has endorsed the funding for the local section of the Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong Express Rail Link.

Speaking after its meeting today, Secretary for Transport & Housing Eva Cheng said the project is in the best interest of Hong Kong, adding it is built for our next generation.

"It is not only a transport project, but also an important community investment," she said, adding people from different sectors and levels will benefit.

Monitoring system

Thanking people for their support for the project, Ms Cheng said the Government will address people's concern carefully. It will closely monitor the construction expenditure, regularly report the details to LegCo, and put in place a spending control mechanism.

Regarding Tai Kok Tsui residents' concern, the Government will consider working with the District Council to hire professionals to provide advice to owners and residents of affected buildings.

On the compensation arrangements for Choi Yuen Tsuen households, Ms Cheng said the Government will actively deal with cases in which residents have registered with the Government.

Government assistance

It will continue to contact those who have not registered and the registration period will be extended to the end of February. The Government will also offer help to those who wish to resume cultivation.

Ms Cheng said the Government will learn from this incident and will improve its consultation work in future railway development and transport projects.

To encourage better community participation, it will consider enhancing its information dissemination process by introducing more communication channels.