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Following is a question by Ir Dr the Hon Ho Chung-tai and a written reply by the Secretary for Economic Services, Ms Sandra Lee, in the Legislative Council today (March 14):

Question:

In view of a recent proposal to construct an environment-friendly underwater observatory in Hong Kong as a tourist attraction, will the Government inform this Council whether:

(a) it has assessed the feasibility of the proposal;

(b) it plans to construct infrastructural facilities incorporating the underwater observatory concept; if so, of the details; and

(c) it knows the numbers of visitors and the economic benefits brought about by underwater observatory marine parks in other countries (such as Israel) to the respective countries; if so, of the details?

Reply:

Madam President,

My reply to the question raised by Ir Dr the Hon Ho Chung-tai is as follows:

(a) Government has no details of the proposal to construct an environment-friendly underwater observatory, so we are not able to assess the feasibility of the proposal.

(b) The Government has no plan so far to construct infrastructural facilities incorporating the underwater observatory concept. However, Hong Kong does not lack facilities which provide local residents and visitors with the opportunity to appreciate marine life. For example, the Ocean Park is a facility with marine life as its theme and its facilities like "Pacific Pier", "Atoll Reef" and "Shark Aquarium" enable visitors to observe the activities of various marine animals from the viewing tunnels or galleries. In addition, the "World Wide Fund for Nature Hong Kong" is planning to establish a marine life centre at Hoi Ha Wan in Sai Kung. In addition to exhibits inside the centre, there will be a glass-bottomed boat, the first in Hong Kong, which will enable local residents and visitors to view at a short distance the underwater scenery and corals at the Hoi Ha Wan marine park on board the boat. The centre is scheduled for completion in 2002.

(c) We do not have information about underwater observatory marine parks in other countries.

End/Wednesday, March 14, 2001

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