High Speed Train in Macau

As the Light Railway is now on the correct track, despite all delays by the previous administration, it is time to think about the future. I know that it is not time for consultations and that I was not hired by any government department to provide my words on this. But I have a proposal to make: extend the high speed train from Gongbei station to Cotai. It would be very helpful for the future of Macau. Yes, the immigration formalities would be carried out already at the Macau border. It is logistically possible and should not be a problem. We would have half the people entering by the Gongbei border and the other half at the future international railway station of Macau, which could be placed near the new ferry terminal and next to the airport. Do not even say that technically it is not possible. If it is possible to put an Eiffel Tower in Cotai, I’m sure it will be possible to have a train passing through Cotai and a final station as we have in many countries. This would help tourists to come in and go out. It would help diversification. It would help the gaming operators put their ‘sold out’ announcements on the Internet. It would make Macau a final destination from the entire Mainland high speed railway. It will allow us to take a train and be in Guangzhou in one hour. Our small and medium entrepreneurs will be very happy with this solution, as they could attend meetings with suppliers in a very convenient and time efficient way. With the blessing of the Mainland Government and, why not, with the money from the gaming operations, that could be a reality in 3 to 4 years. It would also be a good thing to be put on the table for the extension of the gaming concessions and sub-concessions – if that is the solution of the government for the sector. The hub comprising the new ferry terminal, the airport and the Lotus Flower border, with the help of Hengqin, would establish Macau as one of the great areas of the People’s Republic of China. It would also spare the money needed to extend the Gongbei border or to construct a new border. Macau needs to be integrated, needs to be part of China, and the sooner the better. This, of course, with all respect to the Basic Law which some unfortunately do not revere. With a Macau high speed train station, I am of the view that all would win and we could get on to the next chapter of Macau returning to the Mainland. A high speed Macau 2.0. Let’s pray that not only my loyal, trustful and sole reader, besides my?dear editor and great proofreader, reads this column today!