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Infrastructure Development One of Hong Kong's greatest strengths is that it can push ahead with significant infrastructure developments without the need for the government to borrow money. The government will spend $235 billion (US$30 billion) over the next five years on new projects - 50% more than was spent on the Airport Core Programme. The projects will not only boost Hong Kong's position as a regional transport hub, but also provide thousands of jobs. Major railway projects include:
The West Rail and Tseung Kwan O projects will together double the existing length of Hong Kong's railway system and create 13 000 jobs by the end of 1999 It is expected that some 20 000 new jobs will come on line each year over the next four years as a result of the planning and implementation of other major public works programmes, including:
New Airport The new Hong Kong International Airport at Chek Lap Kok will begin commercial operations on July 6, with an initial capacity of 35 million passengers and 3 million tonnes of cargo a year. On full development, the airport will be able to handle 87 million passengers and 9 million tonnes of cargo a year. In one of the world's biggest peace-time logistical operations, tens of thousands of tonnes of equipment will be moved in more than 1 000 journeys from Kai Tak to Chek Lap Kok on 'move night' straddling July 5 and 6. In all, 10 000 vehicle journeys, 70 barge movements and 30 flights from Kai Tak to Chek Lap Kok will have been made from the beginning of May until the scheduled end of the relocation in early August. About 6 000 new jobs will be created during the initial opening phase due to increased private sector participation and the introduction of competition in franchised services at the new airport. The airport is the centrepiece of a US$20 billion investment in Hong Kong's future, which includes:
In addition, the Ting Kau Bridge - the world's longest cable-stayed bridge - opened in May. The bridge links the northwest New Territories into the ACP road network and alleviates severe traffic congestion experienced in the area. Port Hong Kong maintained its position as the busiest and most efficient container port in the world in 1997 with a throughput of 14.5 million TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units). Work on the new Container Terminal 9 (CT9) is expected to start early next year and to be fully operational by early next century. Tied in with this project is a realignment of the container terminal berths to allow for an even more efficient handling of cargo by the various terminal operators. Plans are being developed for a new Container Port (CT10 and CT11) on Lantau Island which will double capacity of the existing port to cope with port needs well into the next century. A new River Trade Terminal will open later this year to cope with increases in cargo coming through the Pearl River Delta.
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