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The following is issued on behalf of the Executive Council Secretariat:
The Non-official Members of the Executive Council (ExCo Members) today (December 8) visited Lantau Island to keep abreast of the latest developments of Lantau.
Accompanied by the Secretary for Development, Mr Paul Chan, the ExCo Members visited the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge (HZMB) Project Information Centre in Tung Chung in the morning. Members were briefed by representatives of the Development Bureau, the Planning Department, the Highways Department and the Airport Authority on the major projects and studies in progress or under planning, including the HZMB and its Hong Kong Boundary Crossing Facilities (HKBCF) artificial island, the Tuen Mun-Chek Lap Kok Link, the three-runway system and North Commercial District of the airport, the reclamation in Siu Ho Wan and Sunny Bay, the East Lantau Metropolis, and the work of the Lantau Development Advisory Committee. Members then took a boat trip to inspect the work progress of the HZMB and the HKBCF artificial island as well as the Tuen Mun-Chek Lap Kok Link.
In the afternoon, the ExCo Members visited Tai O to learn more about the Tai O revitalisation project, the progress of Tai O improvement works and the transport network connecting Tai O with other areas. Members first visited the Tai O Heritage Hotel, which was converted from the former Tai O Police Station under the Revitalising Historic Buildings Through Partnership Scheme of the Development Bureau. They then took a boat tour to view the stilt houses, and listened to a briefing by representatives of the Civil Engineering and Development Department on the progress of Tai O improvement works.
The ExCo Members were also briefed by representatives of the Transport Department on the current traffic situation of Tai O Road, Keung Shan Road, South Lantau Road and Tung Chung Road and the related public concerns. They then visited Cheung Sha Beach to learn more about the potential of developing tourism and recreational facilities in South Lantau. Representatives of the Planning Department and the Civil Engineering and Development Department also introduced to the Members the Tung Chung New Town Extension Study including improvement works at Ma Wan Chung.
The ExCo Members agreed that, through the visit, they had gained a better understanding on the current situation, development potential and planning of Lantau, and the related community concerns. They said they believed that, apart from being a valuable source of land supply for economic and housing development, Lantau also has rich natural and cultural resources for suitable recreational and tourist uses. The development of Lantau would contribute to the sustainable long-term development of Hong Kong.
Non-official Members joining the visit today included Convenor Mr Lam Woon-kwong, Mr Cheng Yiu-tong, Professor Arthur Li, Mr Cheung Hok-ming, Mrs Fanny Law, Mr Cheung Chi-kong, Ms Starry Lee, Mrs Regina Ip and Mr Jeffrey Lam.
Ends/Monday, December 8, 2014
Issued at HKT 18:03
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