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As the Chairman of the Lantau Development Advisory Committee, the Secretary for Development, Mr Paul Chan, joined members of the Committee in a visit to Lantau Island today (May 10).
In the next few years, a number of strategic transport infrastructure projects such as the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge (HZMB) and the Tuen Mun-Chek Lap Kok Link will be completed, while the studies on projects including the third runway of the Hong Kong International Airport, the North Commercial District of the airport, the proposed topside commercial development on the Hong Kong Boundary Crossing Facilities (HKBCF) artificial island of the HZMB, the Tung Chung New Town Extension, and reclamation at Siu Ho Wan and Sunny Bay will complete one after another. These plans will create synergy, help boost the potential of Lantau Island and bring about more opportunities for the district and Hong Kong as a whole.
In the morning, the delegation visited the neighbourhood of Kau Yi Chau and Hei Ling Chau by boat and inspected the central waters located to the east of Lantau. They then went to Mui Wo to see the revitalisation project there and the improvement works at Silver Mine Bay Beach. They also visited Cheung Sha Beach to learn more about the potential of developing tourism and recreational facilities in that area. The Government plans to launch strategic studies in the second half of this year to explore the development of artificial islands in eastern waters off Lantau Island and neighbouring areas, with a view to developing an East Lantau Metropolis to serve as a new core business district in addition to the Central and Kowloon East districts and increase land supply to meet the long-term housing, economic and social needs of Hong Kong.
In the afternoon, the delegation visited Tai O to understand the transport network connecting it and other areas as well as the progress of the Tai O revitalisation project. They also viewed by boat some heritage structures, including stilt houses and the Tai O Heritage Hotel. They then proceeded to Tung Chung and visited historical and ecological landmarks such as the fishing villages and mangroves in Ma Wan Chung. They visited the HZMB Project Information Centre and received briefings from government departments on the construction progress of the HZMB and the proposed topside commercial development on the HKBCF artificial island of the HZMB, the North Commercial District of the airport, the Tung Chung New Town Extension, and studies on reclamation at Siu Ho Wan and Sunny Bay, etc.
Mr Chan noted that while the overall planning of Lantau Island will match with the long-term development needs of Hong Kong, the Government will consider the characteristics of the community and environmental factors as well. In carrying out different development works and strategic planning and feasibility studies, the Government will conduct thorough and comprehensive environmental impact assessments, and recommend measures to strengthen heritage preservation so that the development plans will not have unacceptable impacts on the surrounding areas.
Fifteen non-official members of the Committee joined the visit today. Government officials accompanying the delegation included the Permanent Secretary for Development (Works), Mr Wai Chi-sing; the Permanent Secretary for the Environment, Ms Anissa Wong; the Under Secretary for Development, Mr Eric Ma; the Director of Planning, Mr Ling Kar-kan; the Commissioner for Tourism, Mr Philip Yung; the Project Manager (Hong Kong Island and Islands) of the Civil Engineering and Development Department, Mr Edwin Tong; the Deputy Director of Planning (Territorial), Ms Phyllis Li; and the Deputy Commissioner (Transport Services and Management) of the Transport Department, Miss Law Fung-ping.
Ends/Saturday, May 10, 2014
Issued at HKT 17:31
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