Shenzhen Development and Reform Commission has released bidding documents for a pilot study on the southern extension line of the Second Guangzhou-Shenzhen High-Speed Railway (广深第二高铁), aiming to assess the feasibility of constructing a new high-speed rail link to Hong Kong.  

According to the documents published on the official website of the Shenzhen Public Resources Trading Center, the Second Guangzhou-Shenzhen High-Speed Railway was approved by China’s National Development and Reform Commission in May 2020 as part of infrastructure plans for the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. The main line, spanning from Shenzhen’s Airport East Station (机场东站) to Guangzhou North Station (广州北站), will pass through Dongguan’s central area and Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport, and connect with the Guangzhou-Qingyuan-Yongzhou High-Speed Railway (广清永州高铁) at its northern end.

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The pilot study should explore an extension line linking Shenzhen’s Airport East Station, Bao’an District, Nanshan District, and the Qianhai Area with Hong Kong’s Northern Metropolis and Lautau Tomorrow Vision project.

Key topics of the pilot study include analyzing the necessity and rationality of the extension, evaluating transport demand and land use along the proposed route, and outlining major construction plans.  

Currently, the Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong High-Speed Railway remains the only 350 km/h rail line connecting Hong Kong and Shenzhen. The bidding documents note that without the southern extension, the existing Shenzhen-Hong Kong section may reach full capacity, potentially constraining Shenzhen’s railway capabilities.

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