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Following is an English translation of the speech by the Chief Executive, Mr Tung Chee Hwa, at the Charity Dinner at the New Airport on April 25 (Saturday):
Mr Wong, Mr Lee, ladies and gentlemen,
It is a great pleasure to be with you at this meaningful charity dinner held at such a superb and spectacular venue this evening. By any standard, the new airport is an achievement in which we all take pride. The construction of a new airport at Chek Lap Kok is a large-scale project, which covers a wide range of works, including the supporting facilities. The civil engineering projects, such as slope excavation, reclamation, tunnelling, the construction of bridges, railways, expressways and runways, etc., far exceed other projects in number and in size.
The new airport project is the largest engineering project ever undertaken in Hong Kong. We are going to have one of the finest international airports in the world. Today, and also in the future, people around the world will be interested to know how Hong Kong has been able to realise such a great project whenever they pass by the magnificent Tsing Ma Bridge and the wide stretch of runways. Among the many factors contributing to the success of this project, the most important one was the spirit imbued in the project, which has drawn on the wisdom and rich resources of our own community. It is a symbol of the diligence and creativity of the Hong Kong people and bears testimony to our prosperous economy.
The Hong Kong Airport Authority has worked closely and effectively with its consultants, contractors, business partners and the Government. We are forward looking and have the determination to put the new airport project into reality. With courage, imagination, an abiding belief in Hong Kong's future as well as the technologies required, we have now realised this great project. Of course, most important of all are the great efforts made by the Hong Kong Airport Authority. The excellent performance of the Authority, together with the commitment and dedication of its staff and all those who have played an active part in the project, has made this project a tremendous success. We take immense pride in the completion of the new airport on time and within budget, which has won the acclaim of the world.
April 25, 1998 is a day of paramount importance to us. It marks the completion of our new airport. On behalf of the people of Hong Kong, I would like to express my heartfelt thanks to all those that have contributed to the success of the project.
The new airport project took seven years to complete and cost HK$155 billion. While we are awaiting the grand opening of the new airport, which is of historic significance in Hong Kong, another series of investment programmes of infrastructural development has just commenced. Our confidence in Hong Kong's prosperous future has not been eroded by the Asian financial turmoil. In the coming five years, the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region will invest HK$235 billion in a wide range of large-scale infrastructural projects, including the construction of railways, highways and educational facilities, to consolidate further the foundation for the long term development of Hong Kong and for the enhancement of Hong Kong's competitiveness. Such investments, which outweigh the airport project in terms of scale, will definitely help our economy to rebound, and create more and better job opportunities for the people of Hong Kong.
The Community Chest and its 140 member agencies have played a vital role in providing social services to our community. They have ensured that the needy are all taken good care of through the provision of a wide range of services, such as rehabilitation, elderly, youth and community development services.
Tonight, as we celebrate the successful completion of the new airport, we also support the Community Chest in its good cause. I would like to extend my appreciation to you all and wish you health and happiness.
Thank you.
End/Saturday, April 25, 1998
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