HK enters a new era with high-speed rail

They boarded a Vibrant Express train to Guangzhou South Station in Guangzhou, capital of Guangdong province. Later Lam took the same train back to Hong Kong.

Lam said she had enjoyed the convenience of the round trip, and encouraged Hong Kong people to take advantage of the XRL and visit the mainland more often.

Another 10 dignitaries helped to officiate at Saturday's commencement ceremony in Hong Kong. They included vice-chairmen of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference and former chief executives of the Hong Kong SAR Tung Chee-hwa and Leung Chun-ying; Director of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council Zhang Xiaoming; Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Hong Kong SAR Wang Zhimin; Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the Hong Kong SARXieFeng; Commander-in-chief of the People's Liberation Army Hong Kong GarrisonTan Benhong; and Secretary for Transport and Housing of the Hong Kong SAR Government Frank Chan Fan.

The Hong Kong section of the XRL has a length of 26 kilometers. It officially opens to serve passengers on Sunday. The first train from Hong Kong to the mainland sets off at 7:00 am from the West Kowloon Station.