7. BORDER CROSSING BETWEEN HONG KONG AND THE MAINLAND 䤺aLҰD
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1. There have been intense debates about whether or not passengers should be allowed to cross the border between Hong Kong and the mainland round the clock.
Pa_ȤGQ|pɹLҪDAް_FEPסC

2. According to data provided by the Immigration Department, the number of border crossings has increased by 30 million from 1997 to 2000.
ھڤJҳBѪƦrALҤHƦb@EEC~ܤGd~W[FTdUC

3. Many Hong Kong people decide to move to Shenzhen because the living expenses there are lower.
ѩ󤺦aͬOCAܦhHMw_W``w~C

4. Mr. Chan, who married a mainland girl last year, admits that he moves to Shenzhen because it is more affordable to maintain a family there.
ͥh~F@ӤaklALӻ{~``O]b̺@ӮaxbetC

5. The low-priced but comfortable and spacious accommodation is also a primary reason why people choose to live in Shenzhen.
``JKySξAeФl]OH̿ܩw~``Dn]C

6. Miss Wong is a shop assistant in Tai Po.
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7. She makes a round trip between Hong Kong and the mainland every day.
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8. Despite the inconvenience, she does not plan to move back to Hong Kong.
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9. She believes it is worth commuting as she can receive the relatively high salary in Hong Kong while she enjoys the affordable living in Shenzhen.
o۫HaOȱoA]bȨJlASɨ``et᪺ͬC

10. With 24-hour operation, border crossing will become more flexible and convenient for commuters.
GQ|pɹLҡAN|aHhaӧjuʩMKC

11. Besides, it is suggested that the two immigration counters should be integrated into one to simplify the passport checking procedure.
~AĳNӤJdXӬ@a@ˡA²ˬdҥ󪺤C

12. Other than commuters, the general public will also benefit from a 24-hour border-crossing policy.
FaHh~AOGQ|pɹLҬFoq̡C

13. Lorry drivers will no longer need to queue for hours waiting for the border to re-open.
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14. Hong Kong would enjoy fresher vegetables and fish if the border is open for freight round the clock.
pGҹfBGQ|pɶ}ANɥΧsAMC

15. This would also receive traffic congestion as heavy trucks could travel at night, rather than competiting with commuter traffic during rush hour in the morning.
oˡAfKb]pAΦbWcɶPqԥqPɨϥιDAﵽq몺DC

16. If the Government really wants to develop Hong Kong as a logistics hub in Asia, it should implement the policy of 24-hour border crossing for freight.
FYuƱNoiȬwyϯáAKӹIfBGQ|pɹLҬFC

17. 24-hour operation at control points, however, may not seem to be an ideal solution to all.
iOAëDҦH]{bިIGQ|pɹB@OzQѨMkC

18. The proposal raises technical, economic, and social issues.
oӫĳ|aӧ޳NBg٩M|DC

19. Technical difficulties begin with the present transport system's inability to support a non-stop passenger flow.
X{޳NxO]{qtΥI餣ȬyqC

20. It takes the staff of Kowloon Canton Railway four or five hours a day for maintenance and cleanup of the railroad tracks.
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21. In addition, trains running at midnight will cause noise to the residents nearby.
A̡Abȩ]p|~syC

22. From an economic point of view, some people fear that consumption in Shenzhen would be further stimulated.
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23. This would strike a severe blow to local shop owners, especially during the economic downturn.
SObg٤𤧤UA|aӤaYC

24. They argue that the Government should encourage people to spend in Hong Kong instead of facilitating them to spend in Shenzhen.
aӤDiFӹyHdOAӫDKH_WOC

25. Also, parents have expressed their concern that 24-hour border crossing may lead to an increasing number of mainland students.
ӥBAa`GQ|pɹLҥi|W[Ӧۤaǥ͡C

26. Some schools started admitting mainland students when the Government increased the daily quota of one-way permits to 150 three years ago.
T~eAFNCѪ{ҭBWܤ@ʤQWɡAǾǮդwg}laǥ͡C

27. For example, a primary school in Ta Ku Ling currently has 60 mainland students.
ҦpA@Ҥpǲ{QW]ǥ͡C

28. Thus parents are worried that schools in North District may not have sufficient resources.
]Aaߥ_ϪǮշ|ʥF귽Ihaǥ͡C

29. Furthermore, without restrictions on border crossing, it may be easier for teenagers to join rave parties and buy drugs in Shenzhen.
ӥBALҭAC֦~N|e``ѥ[gMʶRr~C

30. Finally, social workers also fear that the number of extramarital affairs may also soar and lead to serious family problems.
̫A|u@̥߱B~ƥؤWɡAaYaxDC




GLOSSARY - BORDER CROSSING BETWEEN HONG KONG AND THE MAINLAND

daily quota C魭B

extramarital affairs B~

freight fB

immigration counters Jd

logistics hub yϯ

Northern District _

one-way permits {

Ta Ku Ling 
