At the start of the 21st century, the HKSAR Government undertook a review of Hong Kong's long-term development strategies, partly to cope with the changes and capitalise on the opportunities arising from reunification with the Mainland, and partly in response to the many challenges of globalisation and the emergence of a knowledge-based economy. The review followed a two-year study by the Commission on Strategic Development that encompasses a vision and a strategic framework for Hong Kong to become not only a major city in China, but also Asia's world city. [ Brand Hong Kong ]

Asia's Cyber City for the Cyber Century

Hong Kong has set itself on course to become the centre for innovation and technology in East Asia — a cyber city in the cyber century. Much is being done to realise this goal and to capitalise on the enormous opportunities thrown up by the information revolution.

Cyberport
Cyberport — Hong Kong's IT flagship — is a HK$15.8 billion (US$2 billion) landmark project managed by Hong Kong Cyberport Management Company Limited and wholly owned by the HKSAR Government. It is creating an interactive environment that will be home to a strategic cluster of more than 100 IT companies and more than 10 000 IT professionals. This clustering of local and overseas companies and professional talent is envisioned as a catalyst and hub for the growth of local and regional IT digital entertainment industries, with particular emphasis on IT applications, information services and multi- media content creation. Cyberport will also provide IT education for the broader community.

Cyberport represents a commitment on the part of the Government of the HKSAR to facilitate Hong Kong's development as a leading digital city in the region. The project is being developed on a 24- hectare site at Telegraph Bay in the Southern District of Hong Kong Island. The commercial facilities of the Cyberport are being completed and opened in phases from 2002 to 2008.

Science Park
The Science Park aims to establish and nurture a world-class technology community dedicated to applied research and development. It is being developed along a clustering concept, with four clusters of electronics, IT and telecommunications, biotechnology and precision engineering. The first phase of the Science Park was opened in 2002. Phase Two of the Science Park is to be completed in 2007.

Infrastructure Projects for the 21st Century

An efficient and reliable infrastructure has played a key role in maintaining Hong Kong's position as a leading trade, finance, business and tourism centre in the region. Infrastructure development enables us to meet demands arising from population growth and helps support our economic and trade development.

Railway Development
After the commissioning between 2003 and 2005 of West Rail, East Rail Extensions, including the Tsim Sha Tsui Extension and the Tai Wai to Ma On Shan Rail Link, and the Disneyland Resort Line, two new railways are under construction. The KCR Sheung Shui to Lok Ma Chau Spur Line, which will provide a new rail passenger boundary crossing connecting Lok Ma Chau with Huanggang in Shenzhen, is expected to be completed in 2007. Construction works for the Kowloon Southern Link connecting the West Rail Nam Cheong Station with the East Rail East Tsim Sha Tsui Station are scheduled for completion by 2009.

The 'Railway Development Strategy 2000' provides a blueprint for Hong Kong's rail network expansion. This involves a total investment of some $100 billion to complete five new passenger rail projects and a Port Rail Line. Among them, the Kowloon Southern Link is now under construction while the Sha Tin to Central Link, the Northern Link and the Hong Kong section of the Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong Express Rail Link are all under active planning. Also, the MTR Corporation Limited has been requested to carry out further planning of the extension of the existing Hong Kong Island Line from Sheung Wan to Kennedy Town, with intermediate stations at Sai Ying Pun and the University of Hong Kong. Upon completion of these rail links, Hong Kong's rail network will expand to over 250 kilometres. The railways' share of the public transport system will be boosted from 30 per cent to about 40 per cent.

Road Projects
New strategic roads will alleviate urban congestion and provide vital new links into the New Territories and beyond. Among the major road projects are the Hong Kong-Shenzhen Western Corridor, Deep Bay Link and Route 8 including Stonecutters Bridge.

The 1 596-metre Stonecutters Bridge, with a main span of 1 018 metres, will be one of the longest span cable-stayed bridges in the world. It will be the first long-span bridge located in an urban environment in Hong Kong and will be highly visible from Hong Kong Island and Kowloon Peninsula.

This bridge is an important part of Route 8 between Tsing Yi and Sha Tin. On completion of the works in 2008, Hong Kong will be adding an east-west strategic route linking the eastern part of the New Territories to the airport. This new highway will provide direct access to Container Terminals No. 8 and No. 9 in Kwai Chung.

The Hong Kong section of the Hong Kong-Shenzhen Western Corridor is a 3.5-kilometre dual three-lane carriageway spanning Deep Bay from the north-western New Territories of Hong Kong to its boundary with Shenzhen.

Upon completion, it will be the fourth vehicular boundary crossing, which will alleviate the three existing nearly saturated boundary crossings and satisfy future demand.

In addition, it will enhance trade between Hong Kong and southern China, facilitate further economic development, particularly in areas of finance, logistics and tourism, and strengthen the position of Hong Kong as the hub of the Pearl River Delta.top