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The Chief Executive, Mr Tung Chee Hwa, said today (February 20) that $600 billion would be spent by the Government and the two railway companies on more than 1,600 infrastructure projects over the next ten years.
Speaking at the opening ceremony of the Planning Department's "Building a Dynamic Hong Kong Exhibition", Mr Tung said the investments would bring huge social and economic benefits as well as a large number of job opportunities.
They are set to boost Hong Kong's position as a financial, trade, transport, logistics and tourist centre of the world.
"We have the benefit of the strong support of the Central Government and the tremendous opportunities created by the rapid economic development in the Mainland, and these strengths have made Hong Kong so unique that it cannot be easily replaced," Mr Tung said.
"We have to capitalize on the tremendous opportunities created by the economic development of our country and emerge stronger. We have set out clearly Hong Kong's positioning as a major city in China and Asia's world city excelling in high value-added services."
On transport developments, Mr Tung noted that a new railway line would be completed almost every year in the next five years, with investments totaling $100 billion, alongside a massive road development progamme.
Railway lines due for completion in the next few years include the MTR Tsueng Kwan O Extension, the West Rail, Ma On Shan Rail, KCR Tsim Sha Tsui Extension, Penny's Bay Rail Link and the Sheung Shui to Lok Ma Chau Spur Line.
The Route 9 connecting Sha Tin and Tsing Yi, to be completed in 2008, comprises the Stonecutters Bridge which will be one of the longest cable-stayed bridges in the world.
The Tsing Lung Bridge, which links the Lantau Island and Tsing Lung Tau, will become one the longest suspension bridges on earth.
The Government also strives to enhance the link between Hong Kong and the Pearl River Delta, with the Shenzhen Western Corridor and the Deep Bay Link planned for completion by 2005.
Mr Tung said local tourism would be further strengthened through the development of Hong Kong Disneyland, coupled with other projects including the Tung Chung Cable Car, water sports and resorts in Sai Kung, the cultural zone in West Kowloon and the Aberdeen Harbour tourism node.
On the coming face-lift of Hong Kong, he said old urban districts would be revitalised by the Urban Renewal Authority's on-going redevelopment programmes together with the Government's town planning initiatives.
"The Urban Renewal Authority has announced plans to invest $2.6 billion to implement three 'early launch' projects in Tai Kok Tsui, Wan Chai and Sham Shui Po," he said.
"Land is a very scarce resource in Hong Kong. We need to be innovative in transforming the old industrial areas and making the best use of factory buildings vacated due to the relocation of manufacturing operations to the Mainland."
The Town Planning Board rezoned 200 hectares of industrial land last year to allow for more flexible uses such as business. The Planning Department is exploring the possibility of further relaxing the use of industrial premises for loft apartments, mega-bookstores and other uses.
As far as the environment is concerned, the Chief Executive said the Government would focus on greening our city, with 820,000 new trees to be planted in the country parks and another 60,000 trees in the urban areas each year.
At present, 80 per cent of taxis in Hong Kong have already switched to LPG, and our city is credited as the first city in Asia to introduce ultra-low sulphur diesel.
Mr Tung added that the Victoria Harbour would be made more attractive and vibrant, through new developments along the waterfront at West Kowloon, Southeast Kowloon, Central and Wan Chai.
The Chief Executive, accompanied by the Secretary for Planning and Lands, Mr John Tsang, and the Director of Planning, Mr Bosco Fung, officiated at the opening ceremony of the exhibition staged at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre.
The exhibits include display panels, video and slide shows, interactive games and a quiz on key infrastructure developments, covering major new areas for development, transport and logistics network, regeneration of old urban areas, improvement to community facilities, as well as the protection of our environment and cultural heritage.
The exhibition is designed to give the general public a clear idea of the Government's investments in infrastructure, thereby enhancing their understanding of Hong Kong's future development.
It is open to the public from today (February 20) to February 24 on Level 4 Foyer, Auditoria Building, Hong Kong Cultural Centre, Tsim Sha Tsui. Afterwards it will move to Plaza Hollywood, Diamond Hill (February 26 - 28); Time Square, Causeway Bay (March 8 - 10), and Maritime Square, Tsing Yi (March 15 - 17).
End/Wednesday, February 20, 2002
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Photo
1: Director of Planning, Mr Bosco Fung, is briefing the Chief Executive,
Mr Tung Chee Hwa, on the reclamation project.
Photo 2:
Mr Tung is catching a glimpse of the recent developments in Central
on board the Star Ferry.
Photo
3: Mr Tung is viewing the exhibition panels.
Information for downloading:
- Fact Sheet (pdf format, 473k)
- Map 1: Major Infrastructure Developments under Construction and Planning (jpg format, 261k)
- Map 2:
Areas for Major New Development (jpg format, 174k)
- Map 3: Major Transport & Logistics Centre Developments (jpg format, 263k)
- Map 4: Regenerating Old Urban Areas (jpg format, 198k)
- Map 5:
Major Recreation and Tourism Developments (jpg format, 244k)
