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The Chief Executive, Mr C Y Leung, accompanied by the Secretary for Transport and Housing, Professor Anthony Cheung Bing-leung; the Secretary for Development, Mr Paul Chan; and the Director of Planning, Mr Ling Kar-kan, took a boat trip this morning (April 4) to inspect the work progress of the Hong Kong Boundary Crossing Facilities (HKBCF) artificial island of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge (HZMB) and was briefed on the development of Lantau.
The HKBCF, Hong Kong Link Road and Tuen Mun-Chek Lap Kok Link projects have entered the on-site construction stage. Mr Leung pointed out that, upon the commissioning of the HZMB in 2016, Lantau will become the converging point of Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao, which would enhance the functions and development potential of Lantau. He added that the co-operation and connectivity in various areas between Hong Kong and the western Pearl River Delta (PRD) will be strengthened, which would in turn provide ample opportunities for Hong Kong business sectors to expand their operation in the Mainland. For this reason, the 2014 Policy Address has emphasised the development of Lantau.
While inspecting the construction work of the HKBCF artificial island at sea, Mr Leung said that with the proximity of the island to the Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA), it will serve as a gateway for Hong Kong and the western PRD and will take on great value as a "bridgehead economy". He noted that developing commercial facilities on the artificial island could generate synergy with the HKIA, Tung Chung and the surrounding areas, which would promote economic development and create job opportunities. The Government plans to commence a planning, engineering and architectural feasibility study in the second half of this year to draw up the scale of commercial development on the artificial island.
Mr Leung was also briefed by the Director of Planning on other development projects of Lantau that are ongoing and under planning, including the Tung Chung New Town Extension, the third runway and North Commercial District of the HKIA, reclamation at Siu Ho Wan and Sunny Bay, and developing the East Lantau Metropolis on an artificial island to be formed at the central waters of Hong Kong located at the east of Lantau Island.
Mr Leung said that Lantau enjoys a prime location with huge development potential. Through comprehensive and visionary planning, it could be turned into a new core business hub. He said the Government would continue to capitalise on the benefits brought about by major infrastructure projects on Lantau. It will fully co-operate with the Lantau Development Advisory Committee to work out the economic and social development strategy for the area while striking a balance between development and conservation to fulfil the long-term development needs and enhance the competitiveness of Hong Kong.
Ends/Friday, April 4, 2014
Issued at HKT 12:46
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