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Following is a question by the Hon Emily Lau and a written reply by the Acting Secretary for Economic Services, Ms Miranda Chiu, in the Legislative Council today (June 5):

Question :

Regarding the Hong Kong Disneyland under construction, will the Executive Authorities inform this Council:

(a) of the latest progress of the construction project;

(b) whether they have assessed if the project can be completed on schedule and if its costs will exceed the budget; if they have, of the results of the assessment; and

(c) whether they know if the Walt Disney Company and the Universal Studios have plans to construct similar theme parks in the Mainland; if these companies have such plans, of the details, and whether they have assessed the impacts of these theme parks in the Mainland on Hong Kong Disneyland and local tourism?

Reply :

President,

(a) Phase I of the Hong Kong Disneyland project is progressing on schedule. As at end May 2002, sand filling works for Penny's Bay Reclamation Stage 1 are almost complete and will proceed to the final stage of surcharging in mid-June. Construction works of Penny's Bay Infrastructure Contract 1 which commenced in October 2001 are also in good progress (about 17 per cent completed). We are inviting tenders for Penny's Bay Infrastructure Contract 2 which is scheduled for commencement in August 2002.

(b) Overall, the construction works for Hong Kong Disneyland Phase 1 is on schedule. We expect that the works to be completed by 2005 as scheduled and the project cost to be within the financial implications, estimated at $13.569 billion, accepted in principle by the Finance Committee in November 1999.

(c) We understand that The Walt Disney Company does not rule out any possibility of building another theme park in the mainland in future. However, it is the priority of both the Government and The Walt Disney Company to get Hong Kong Disneyland up and running and make it a success.

As regards the business plans of Universal Studios or any other company, we do not normally comment as a matter of principle.

The attractiveness of Hong Kong as a tourist destination lies in our unique blend of east and west and the mix of cosmopolitan, heritage and natural attractions, rather than being dependent on any single attraction. The wide range of tourism development projects that we have in hand will further strengthen our position as Asia's world city and most popular destination city.

End/Wednesday, June 5, 2002

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