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2005-06 Policy Address by Chief Executive (8)
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Continuous Infrastructural Development

93. Continuous infrastructural development is necessary to maintain Hong Kong's vitality as Asia's world city. With the upturn in our economy, an early reactivation of the plan to reprovision the Central Government Offices and the Legislative Council Building, shelved some time ago, will help meet a practical need and create thousands of jobs badly needed by the construction industry. The Legislative Council earlier agreed in 2003 to construct the new Central Government Offices and Legislative Council Building on the Tamar site. The project will facilitate the administration's closer interface with the legislature, and therefore enhance co-operation. The choice of the site has been approved by the Town Planning Board, is consistent with the development of Central District and accords with the long-term public interest. It is also cost-effective. We will consult the Legislative Council later and hope that Members will render us their support as before.

94. To meet the demand for public transport, we will be completing various major infrastructural projects. The construction of the KCRC Lok Ma Chau Spur Line is progressing well and is expected to be commissioned in 2007 as scheduled. Route 8, being constructed, will be completed in two phases in 2007 and 2008. The KCRC South Kowloon Line, construction of which has just started, will be completed in 2009. We are also actively planning for the Sha Tin to Central Link and the West Hong Kong Island Line, and assessing the feasibility of the KCRC Northern Link and the MTRC South Hong Kong Island Line. On the management side, the two rail companies have entered the final stage of discussion on their merger. We will make a public announcement as soon as the outcome is known.

95. The Government endeavours to provide people with more convenient cross-border transport links. The governments of Hong Kong, Guangdong and Macao are actively pursuing advance work on the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge linking the west side of the PRD. The three governments are examining the draft feasibility report on the project and hope to seek approval from the Central Authorities and proceed with construction as soon as possible. Separately, the Hong Kong-Shenzhen Western Corridor will be commissioned next year when the control point at Shekou is completed. We are also studying the KCRC's feasibility report on the Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong Express Rail Link, and will discuss with the relevant Mainland authorities the interface between the Hong Kong and Guangdong sections.

96. In the next two years, infrastructural projects with a total value of $6.5 billion will be completed at Hong Kong International Airport at Chek Lap Kok. These include a second passenger terminal building and the AsiaWorld-Expo complex. The Government will conduct an ecological study on the site selected for Container Terminal 10 at northwestern Lantau, and work out the optimal timing for the construction of the terminal based on the updated port cargo forecast. We also strive to construct a new cruise terminal as soon as possible and will invite expressions of interest on this item from the private sector next month.

97. We have conducted a six-month public consultation on the development of an integrated cultural district in West Kowloon. The results show that the community generally supports the development of a cultural landmark in West Kowloon. They consider that it will not only enrich our cultural and arts life, but also promote tourism and create jobs. They hope to see an early decision on its construction. In response to community demands, we plan to introduce new development parameters and conditions within the existing development framework. The Chief Secretary for Administration briefed the Legislative Council last Friday on the findings of the consultation exercise and the next steps. We will listen to the views of the Legislative Council, the Town Planning Board, the community at large and the screened-in proponents on the new parameters and conditions. We hope to decide on the specific way forward early next year.

98. Through the Commission on Strategic Development, we will explore practical measures, including creating an enabling environment for the commercialisation of creative ideas, and opening up more opportunities for exchanges and interplay among creative talent. The Government will continue to allocate resources to foster a rich variety of cultural and arts activities. Cultural and arts education will be promoted through the work of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department, the Hong Kong Arts Development Council, the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts, the Art School of the Hong Kong Arts Centre and the education sector. The film industry is a flagship of our creative industries. To strengthen the consultative framework for communication with the industry, we will set up a film development board to take stock of the present state, opportunities and challenges of the local film industry before charting a development course and drawing up a clear action plan. With the support of various sectors, we are developing a creative arts centre in a vacant factory building in Shek Kip Mei. In the long term, Hong Kong must conduct in-depth studies on the major issues pertaining to the development of cultural and creative industries. The Government encourages the cultural sector and community organisations to actively study the relevant issues. We are prepared to consider helping them set up a cultural and creative think tank to gather and groom more talent and experts in cultural and creative studies, who can work with the Government to promote the development of cultural and creative industries.

E. Conclusion

99. Madam President, my Policy Address, together with the Policy Agenda released concurrently, are the result of past experience, listening to views from all sectors, candid analysis and careful evaluation by my colleagues and myself. With due effort, we can achieve our goals one by one. I am determined to carry out my work in a sincere and pragmatic way, focusing on results and not making unrealistic promises, and to establish a new approach to governance.

100. I have talked about the expansion of the Executive Council and the Commission on Strategic Development, the reorganisation of the Chief Executive's Office, the enhancement of district work, the establishment of new offices in the Mainland and overseas, the setting up of a Food Safety, Inspection and Quarantine Department, and implementing CEPA III. They will require the rationalisation of Government manpower resources to meet changed needs. For this purpose we will put our proposals with full justification to create new directorate and other posts to the Finance Committee. At the same time, we will continue to control the size of the civil service establishment. We will reduce it to about 160 000 posts by end-March 2007 through savings and enhanced efficiency, and by adjusting the establishment of different grades based on actual requirements. We are determined to maintain a simple and low tax regime. Our target remains to restore fiscal balance in 2008-2009.

101. Madam President, what I have set out is built on experience. The implementation of initiatives in my Policy Address and Policy Agenda requires the support of this Council and the wider community. A precondition for the Government to deliver on its undertakings in a responsible manner is the support of the community. It is only natural for the community to have different views on different issues. But I have always believed that our people are pragmatic and rational, love Hong Kong, and will know how to safeguard our long-term overall interests.

102. During almost 40 years of public service, I have, together with the people of Hong Kong, experienced many ups and downs. We have grown up with Hong Kong and, collectively with our "Hong Kong spirit", endured many trials. With their bare hands, Hong Kong people have built a vibrant world city that is caring and just, without compromising its efficiency. Over the past eight years, these same people have, through their perseverance and wisdom, overcome the most serious economic difficulties in half a century. We have finally emerged from rainy weather to embrace sunny days. It is the greatest honour of my life that I am able to deliver this Policy Address as Chief Executive today, to plan and strive for the well-being of the people and to make contributions to Hong Kong and our country. I will not let down our community, nor fail to meet my country's expectations. I will lead the Government to unite all sectors and implement the principle of "One Country, Two Systems" and the Basic Law fully and faithfully. I will enhance our governance to prove that Hong Kong people are fully capable of running Hong Kong well.

103. We do not under-estimate the difficulties and challenges we face. Globalisation and the rapid rise of neighbouring regions have brought many pressures. Various risks and natural disasters will continue to test us in future.  The recent severe earthquake in South Asia has caused heavy tolls and losses.  We are all deeply grieved and hope that all those affected will recover from their trauma and rebuild their homes as early as possible.  While we bravely meet our challenges ahead, we know that Hong Kong is presented with unprecedented opportunities: our country is making spectacular progress, and the Asia-Pacific region is poised for new growth. The successful launch this morning of Shenzhou VI spacecraft, designed and built by our own country, not only marked yet another important development in our country's modernisation, but also manifested the Chinese people's grand ambition. We face excellent prospects. Being in the right place at the right time, we now have the right climate for social harmony and good governance. This is an epochal opportunity for Hong Kong and we must seize it for future generations. Our governance seeks to focus on this crucial moment and take full advantage of the favourable conditions to create an environment that allows Hong Kong people to do their best. I, together with the Principal Officials of the SAR Government and all civil servants, will redouble our efforts to strive in this direction for Hong Kong and our country. We should be tolerant and inclusive. We should have fewer arguments to avoid missing good opportunities through idleness and indecision. With all sincerity I hope and urge everyone to unite and focus on seizing every chance to build a better tomorrow for Hong Kong. And to perform new miracles for this blessed land.


Ends/Wednesday, October 12, 2005
Issued at HKT 13:09

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