Frontier Closed Area: Difference between revisions
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Initially, most residents generally welcomed the plan. However, some environmentalists have pointed out that the proposal would affect ecology in the excluded area.<ref>[http://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/200609/07/P200609070222.htm Government proposes to reduce Frontier Closed Area]</ref><ref>[http://www.legco.gov.hk/yr06-07/english/panels/se/papers/secb2-1156-1-e.pdf LEGCO Review of the Frontier Closed Area - Result of Public Consultation]</ref> |
Initially, most residents generally welcomed the plan. However, some environmentalists have pointed out that the proposal would affect ecology in the excluded area.<ref>[http://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/200609/07/P200609070222.htm Government proposes to reduce Frontier Closed Area]</ref><ref>[http://www.legco.gov.hk/yr06-07/english/panels/se/papers/secb2-1156-1-e.pdf LEGCO Review of the Frontier Closed Area - Result of Public Consultation]</ref> |
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===Implementation=== |
===Implementation=== |
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On 15 February 2012, the areas surrounding [[Sha Tau Kok]] (but not including the town of Sha Tau Kok itself) , as well as [[Mai Po]], were taken out of the Frontier Closed Area, opening up 740 hectares of land for public access. <ref>[http://www.news.gov.hk/tc/categories/infrastructure/html/2012/02/20120214_151825.shtml 邊境禁區範圍縮減首階段生效]</ref> |
On 15 February 2012, the areas surrounding [[Sha Tau Kok]] (but not including the town of Sha Tau Kok itself) , as well as [[Mai Po]], were taken out of the Frontier Closed Area, opening up 740 hectares of land for public access. <ref>[http://www.news.gov.hk/tc/categories/infrastructure/html/2012/02/20120214_151825.shtml 邊境禁區範圍縮減首階段生效]</ref> The checkpoint at [[Shek Chung Au]] was closed with immediate effect, its functions being taken over by the new checkpoint at the gate of Sha Tau Kok town. |
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==References== |
==References== |
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Revision as of 15:17, 17 February 2012
22°32′N 114°06′E / 22.53°N 114.1°E
The Frontier Closed Area (FCA) (Chinese: 邊境禁區) is a 28 km² area in Hong Kong along the border with mainland China. It was gazetted and established in June 1951, and expanded to its current limit in 1962. Ordinary people who are not residents within the area cannot enter the area, except with a permit or when they are going to cross the border.
Along most of the border are wired fencing on both sides on the land and along the Shenzhen River.
It was set up to halt incoming of immigrants from mainland China, and to restrict illegal activities. It freezes development within the area. Due to the lack of human activities in the area, the FCA became a natural habitat for Hong Kong's animals and plants.
For those who are neither residents within the Closed Area, nor crossing the border, a Closed Area Permit is required. Applications for a Closed Area Permit outside the Closed Area are available at the Sheung Shui Police Station in Fanling.
The FCA includes Lo Wu Station and Lok Ma Chau Station on the East Rail Line.
Reduction proposal
On September 7, 2006, the Government has announced its proposal to reduce the size of the area to 8 km². Only areas around border control points will be kept in the FCA.
The proposal was made possible by constructing a secondary boundary fence along the border patrol road, so that the security of the road can be maintained without designating large areas of FCA. The Planning Department will start a planning study on the areas removed from the FCA.
The proposal will be implemented in four stages depending on the construction progress of the fence, which is scheduled to complete in early 2015. Members of the public will no longer need to obtain an FCA permit to enter the excluded areas.
Initially, most residents generally welcomed the plan. However, some environmentalists have pointed out that the proposal would affect ecology in the excluded area.[1][2]
Implementation
On 15 February 2012, the areas surrounding Sha Tau Kok (but not including the town of Sha Tau Kok itself) , as well as Mai Po, were taken out of the Frontier Closed Area, opening up 740 hectares of land for public access. [3] The checkpoint at Shek Chung Au was closed with immediate effect, its functions being taken over by the new checkpoint at the gate of Sha Tau Kok town.
References
Policy of Frontier Closed Area[1]
External links
- Land Use Planning for the Closed Area – HK government site, shows maps of the Closed Area.