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Following is the speech by the Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Henry Tang, at the Prize Presentation and Exhibition Opening Ceremony of the Hong Kong Institute of Architects Annual Awards 2007 at the Pacific Place in Admiralty this evening (April 25): (English only)
Dr. Ronald Lu, ladies and gentlemen,
Good evening.
I am delighted to join you for your Annual Awards. It is always a pleasure to share in the success of our architects.
First, let me congratulate the Hong Kong Institute of Architects on organising the 2007 Awards, and for your work in promoting architectural excellence in this great city.
Architects shape our city and our cityscape. Your designs have a direct impact on our daily lives at home, at work and at play. These Awards acknowledge the achievements of our architects in becoming world-leading experts in high-rise, high density and slope design.
Not only is this expertise important to Hong Kong, it is also highly prized in other rapidly developing cities around the world. In recognition of your work overseas, I am pleased that this year the HKIA has introduced a Medal of the Year for Best Architecture Outside Hong Kong. You and your projects are ambassadors for Hong Kong and help to raise the city's profile overseas.
I can also assure you that there will be plenty of exciting opportunities for you to sink your teeth into here at home for many years to come.
The Kai Tak Development and the West Kowloon Cultural District are just two of the mega projects in the offing.
Yet another challenge for our architects is heritage conservation. Hong Kong people have shown renewed passion for culture and lifestyle in recent years. The Government is committed to promoting the adaptive re-use of historic buildings and turning them into unique cultural landmarks. We look to your creativity and expertise in revitalising historic buildings to enhance our quality city life.
Earlier this year, the Government, sponsored by the HKIA, organised a concept design competition for the Hong Kong Pavilion, which will be part of the China Pavilion at the World Expo 2010 in Shanghai. The Hong Kong Pavilion will showcase to visitors from around the world our vibrant city, quality living, and cosmopolitan lifestyle.
The results of the competition were most encouraging. It was heartening to see how our local professionals, through their 80 entries, had demonstrated the unlimited potential of Hong Kong, as well as their own excellence and creativity. With such high quality entries, sitting on the jury panel was not an easy task. My sympathy to the jury panel of the HKIA Annual Awards ¡ª I am sure it's a far more daunting task. Finally, the "Pavilion of Infinity" stood out from other competitors, in that the infinity concept underlying the design perfectly clicks with this city's infinite imagination and creativity.
It is often said that form follows function, but it can also be a great design that lifts the spirits and enrich our lives. Of course, architectural design is so hard to miss, which is why it is so important.
Ladies and gentlemen, tonight belongs to the award winners, who have helped to raise the spirits and extend the horizons of this city. It just remains for me to congratulate you all on your achievements and wish you every success for many years to come.
Thank you.
Ends/Friday, April 25, 2008
Issued at HKT 19:37
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