The commissioner for tourism of Hong Kong announced Wednesday the arrangements of the phased opening of the Hong Kong Disneyland and Penny's Bay at a press conference.

According to Commissioner Eva Cheng, phase one will be started from early August when Disneyland Resort Line is scheduled to run between Sunny Bay Station and Disneyland Resort Station. A section of the Park Promenade that is linked to the resort line will also be open to the public.

During phase two, which will be started from Aug. 16, all public facilities at Penny's Bay, including public roads, the Park Promenade, the Inspiration Lake Recreation Center, the Disneyland Resort Public Transport Interchange etc. will begin operation.

"The arrangements for the phased opening of the Hong Kong Disneyland and associated facilities at Penny's Bay aim to ensure a smooth and well-coordinated opening," Cheng said.

The Guangdong provincial government and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government have agreed to issue 60 quotas for cross-boundary coaches operating directly between the Mainland and Hong Kong Disneyland via Lok Ma Chau, told Y.C. Lo of the Hong Kong Transport Department.

To increase the efficiency of crowd and transport control, a joint command center will be set up at Penny's Bay Police Post with representatives from the Hong Kong Police, Tourism Commission, Transport Department, Mass Transit Railway Corporation and Hong Kong Disneyland. The center will coordinate contingencies measures when necessary.

(Xinhua News Agency June 22, 2005)