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B. Undertaking 10 Major Infrastructure Projects for Economic Growth
18. Infrastructure development can bring about huge economic benefits. Both employment opportunities and wages will increase during the construction stage, and, upon completion, the infrastructure projects will boost economic activities and improve the living environment.
19. In promoting infrastructure development, our efforts over the past decade did not match expectations. Overall expenditure on infrastructure for this year may well be the lowest in recent years. To address this problem, the recently established Development Bureau in the reorganised Government Secretariat will co-ordinate major infrastructure projects. I will push ahead with 10 large-scale infrastructure projects within my term of office. These projects will not only expand the room necessary for Hong Kong's further development, but also improve our transportation, thereby linking up our socio-cultural and business activities with more efficient transportation systems. More importantly, with closer rail and road transport links between Hong Kong and the neighbouring regions of Shenzhen and the Pearl River Delta (PRD), we can foster further cross-boundary integration. These infrastructure developments will consolidate Hong Kong's status as a global city and lay a new foundation for our sustained development in the future.
20. A rough estimate of the added value to our economy brought about by these projects, from commissioning to a mature stage, would be more than $100 billion annually, amounting to some 7% of our GDP in 2006. In addition, some 250 000 additional jobs would be created. Details of the projects are:
Transport Infrastructure
(1) South Island Line: The local community has been strongly demanding the extension of the mass transit railway to Southern District. The Executive Council will soon examine a proposal submitted by the MTR Corporation Limited with a view to authorising it to proceed with engineering design. Construction of the seven-kilometre rail line will start in 2011 and cost more than $7 billion. The South Island Line will be commissioned no later than 2015. With the expected endorsement of the West Island Line, Hong Kong Island will have a much more extensive rail network.
(2) The Sha Tin to Central Link: The Sha Tin to Central Link will connect the Northeast New Territories and Hong Kong Island via East Kowloon. The Government has stated that a detailed plan will be ready for public consultation early next year. We expect construction work to start in 2010.
(3) The Tuen Mun Western Bypass and Tuen Mun-Chek Lap Kok Link: We have conducted a strategic review of the transport infrastructure for the Northwest New Territories and Lantau to ensure that it can meet future demand. Our plan is to develop the Tuen Mun Western Bypass and the Tuen Mun-Chek Lap Kok Link at a cost of over $20 billion. Upon completion in 2016, there will be a direct access linking up Deep Bay in Shenzhen, the Northwest New Territories and the Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA). The logistics industries will stand to benefit from the direct access, which will also link up the Northwest New Territories and the HKIA, thereby alleviating the busy traffic along the North Lantau Highway in the future.
Cross-boundary Infrastructure Projects
(4) The Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong Express Rail Link: Our country is now building a high-speed national rail network of some 12 000 kilometres to link up major cities, with maximum train speeds of 200 to 300 kilometres per hour. The network will substantially enhance the Mainland's transport capacity. To seize the opportunities, we are pressing ahead with the building of the Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong Express Rail Link running from West Kowloon to Shibi, Guangzhou. When running in Hong Kong, this Express Rail Link will use a dedicated line to ensure its smooth operation. We will actively study the provision of a common immigration and customs clearance system for Hong Kong and the Mainland at the Kowloon Terminal. Our target is to complete the planning and design processes within next year, so that construction will commence in 2009.
(5) Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge: The Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge is a priority project. As a major strategic cross-boundary project, it is unprecedented in terms of scope, scale and complexity. The efforts made by the three governments involved are gradually bearing fruit. We have completed the engineering feasibility studies for over 20 project items. A remaining task is to finalise the financial arrangements. We aim to complete the financial arrangements in the near future and convene an expert group meeting to scrutinise the report. This will serve as the basis for discussion over specific investment and financing arrangements by the three governments at the next stage.
We have also made much effort on site investigation of the connecting roads in Hong Kong. Following the principle of "separate locations of boundary crossing facilities" agreed by the three parties, we have commenced the site selection study in Hong Kong and are collecting public views. I hope that we will have your support.
(6) Hong Kong-Shenzhen Airport Co-operation: The HKIA and Shenzhen Airport are two major airports in the PRD region. The HKIA ranks among the busiest international airports in the world in terms of both passenger and cargo traffic, while Shenzhen Airport handles far more domestic flights than Hong Kong. For the two airports to fully complement each other and achieve a win-win situation, it is necessary to study the feasibility and economic benefits of establishing a rail connection between the two. Currently, high-speed ferry services ply between the two airports. A rail link can forge even closer ties. I am glad that the Shenzhen Municipal Government strongly supports the proposals on further co-operation between the two airports. To follow up, the two governments will form a joint task force. The Airport Authority will provide research support to the task force. We hope that specific work plans can be drawn up early next year.
(7) Hong Kong-Shenzhen Joint Development of the Lok Ma Chau Loop: As neighbours, Hong Kong and Shenzhen can achieve a win-win situation for both sides by adopting an integrated regional development strategy. Apart from enhancing cross-boundary transport links, we will work with the Shenzhen authorities to tap the land resources of the Lok Ma Chau Loop to meet future development needs and consolidate the strategic position of Shenzhen and Hong Kong in the Pan-PRD region. For this purpose, we will establish a high-level co-ordinating mechanism. We will jointly explore the feasibility of developing the Lok Ma Chau Loop to our mutual benefit, and steer further research and planning work on other cross-boundary issues.
New Urban Development Areas
(8) West Kowloon Cultural District: The West Kowloon Cultural District (WKCD) represents a major investment in our cultural and arts infrastructure. It is also a strategic plan to promote long-term development of arts and culture, supporting Hong Kong as a creative economy and Asia's world city. The integrated arts and cultural district will offer a mix of world-class arts and cultural facilities, talented artists, quality programmes and distinctive architecture to attract people in Hong Kong as well as from the Mainland and the rest of the world.
A public engagement exercise has been launched on the recommendations of the Consultative Committee on the Core Arts and Cultural Facilities of the WKCD. Our initial assessment shows general and positive public support for the early development of WKCD. The Government will introduce the bill on establishing the WKCD Authority in early 2008. We aim to have the legislation enacted in mid-2008 so that the Authority can be set up as soon as possible. The Chief Secretary for Administration will lead the work.
To fully realise the vision and mission of WKCD, the Government will co-operate with the cultural and arts sector in taking timely measures to foster the development of software and talent. We will invest more resources to implement the following key measures: reinforcing support to arts bodies of all sizes; comprehensively assessing the demand and supply of cultural and arts talent with a view to launching appropriate training programmes; promoting arts education and audience building; enhancing cultural exchange and co-operation; improving the management of performing arts venues; and, expanding "alternative art space" in the community for local artists to unleash their creativity while increasing the public's exposure to culture and the arts in their daily lives.
(9) Kai Tak Development Plan: The formulation of the Kai Tak Development Plan is an example of successful public engagement. The challenge now is to take forward this major project within a tight schedule. Statutory procedures to amend the Kai Tak Outline Zoning Plan are almost finished, after which the project will enter the implementation stage. We will invite tenders in due course to construct a new cruise terminal. The first berth is expected to be operational in 2012. A high-level inter-departmental committee led by the Secretary for Development will ensure that the project stays on schedule. It will also ensure that this vast ex-airport site will be developed into an attractive place for our citizens to enjoy and take pride in.
(10) New Development Areas (NDAs): To ease pressure on developed areas and to meet the demand for land arising from population growth, we need to plan for NDAs without delay. The scope of NDAs will be smaller, less than one fourth of that of the existing new towns such as Tuen Mun and Sha Tin. The NDAs will provide land for various uses such as housing, employment, high value-added and non-polluting industries. Through comprehensive planning, the NDAs will provide quality living space and convenience to both residents and users. In this connection, we will revive planning and engineering studies on NDAs at Kwu Tung North, Fanling North, Ping Che and Ta Kwu Ling and Hung Shui Kiu, and work out implementation strategies.
(To be continued)
Ends/Wednesday, October 10, 2007
Issued at HKT 11:27
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