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Following is the full text of the speech (English only) delivered by the Financial Secretary, Mr Donald Tsang, at the opening of the Northwest Concourse, Hong Kong International Airport today (Thursday):

Victor (Fung), Ladies and Gentlemen,

Many years ago American humorist and playwright, George Ade, once mused that no matter how many miles a man may travel, he will never get ahead of himself.

That may have been true then, but with the state of aviation today anything's possible. And, in the case of the Hong Kong International Airport, I believe we have created a magnificent facility that many regard as ahead of its time.

I for one never cease to be amazed when I visit the airport. The sheer size, the graceful sweep of the design, the state-of-the-art construction techniques, and above all, the ease with which passengers walk through our check points along this vast aviation avenue readily inspire awe.

Today marks the culmination of this far-sighted venture, which was first announced just a decade ago. It is the epitome of Hong Kong's can-do spirit - a mind-set that overcomes seemingly impossible obstacles to get things done.

Aviation in Hong Kong has been transported from a cramped 1960s-style airport to a 21st century pacesetter. An airport that has received international acclaim as one of the top 10 construction achievements of the 20th century.

In changing the face of flying to and from Hong Kong, a new aviation hub has emerged. Today, more than 60 airlines connect Hong Kong to over 120 destinations around the world. And, as part of our policy to progressively liberalise Hong Kong's air services, we are looking closely at ways of expanding these connections. That's one of the reasons why the Airport Authority reduced landing and parking charges by 15% from the beginning of this month. We want to ensure that our status as an international and regional aviation centre is maintained and enhanced.

This involves reviewing air services arrangements with our major markets, such as North America, Europe, Australia and within our own region, in response to changing demands in both passenger and cargo services. I should add that these reviews are in addition to the on-going process of negotiating air services agreements with different countries.

The government is also actively considering other measures to enhance our cargo hub role, such as streamlining licensing requirements, which could prove attractive to air cargo carriers.

So we have not been idle or complacent. There will be further developments on both the cargo and passenger fronts in the months and years ahead. All these have become feasible because we have chosen the right location for our new airport and were courageous enough to invest heavily in this facility for our long-term growth.

The designers have told us that this Northwest Concourse, with its 34,000 square metres of floor space and 11 air-bridge connections, will enable the airport to handle up to 10 million extra passengers each year. This will bring the total passenger capacity to 45 million. And, as Victor mentioned, with some 30 million passengers using the airport last year, we still have quite a long way to go before we have to start thinking in earnest of building a second passenger terminal for the next generation of travellers.

Meanwhile, other projects in this marvellous airport continue. By 2001 we will have increased the runway capacity to 50 aircraft movements an hour from the current 40. And we will be investing some $1 billion over the next 10 years to introduce by stages the next generation of satellite-based communication, navigation, surveillance and air traffic management systems. These will enhance flight efficiency and safety.

Even today, it's hard to conceive the airport has achieved virtual 'city status' with a workforce of some 46,000 people on site. Just a stone's throw away a thriving new town, Tung Chung, is changing the landscape on Lantau. And new tourism concepts such as a cable car system from Tung Chung to the Big Buddha are being developed.

The economic benefits to Hong Kong from the new international airport are manifold and will continue to grow.

I would like to congratulate you, Victor, and all members of the Hong Kong Airport Authority for bringing the Northwest Concourse into service. You have bravely overcome the traumatic experience associated with the airport opening eighteen months ago. We have all learned the lesson of the treacheries of modern technology. We have particularly learned the lesson of complacency. You have since then transformed the service culture of the Airport Authority. Your colleagues are delivering to our air passengers a magnificent and modern travelling experience. You have set the latest benchmark in operating a well-designed wing-like passenger terminal building. I believe we can all take pride in our newest landmark - this imposing symbol of Hong Kong's dynamic progress into the 21st century.

Thank you.

End/Thursday, January 20, 2000

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