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Geological Park
104. Hong Kong boasts rich geological resources of high academic research, tourism and scenic value. For example, the hexagonal rock columns and erosion features along the New Territories East coastline are unique attractions. We are considering the development of a geological park under the framework of the Country Parks Ordinance and Marine Parks Ordinance, with a view to turning these special geological features and rock clusters into natural scenic spots for our citizens and visitors to enjoy.
Beautifying the Harbourfront
105. Imbued with cultural and historical significance, Victoria Harbour is an icon of our city. All Hong Kong people cherish it as our precious asset. The Harbour-front Enhancement Committee, and a number of community organisations, have in recent years offered suggestions and advice on ways to enhance our harbourfront. I applaud their efforts. The Development Bureau will co-ordinate the work of different government departments to ensure the effective implementation of projects to beautify and revitalise these areas. It will set up a task force to study the feasibility of conducting medium and long-term re-planning of the harbour, improve the accessibility of the harbourfront and, in consultation with District Councils, proceed with the construction of waterfront promenades. I hope that our beautiful harbour will remain a symbol of our city that can be enjoyed by all.
Revitalising the Central School
106. In my previous Policy Address, I announced that the Former Police Married Quarters Site in Aberdeen Street, the original site of the Central School, would be removed from the List of Sites for Sale by Application for a year and that we would invite proposals on its revitalisation. In view of the general support for its revitalisation during extensive consultations, I have decided to formally remove the site from the List. Its planned use will be for creative industries and education. The revitalisation plan will take into account the history and characteristics of the area along Hollywood Road, and will be subject to public consultation.
Improving the Pedestrian Environment
107. We will take forward pedestrian schemes to minimise vehicle-pedestrian conflicts and improve roadside air quality. The schemes cover footbridges, pedestrian subways, pedestrianised streets and traffic calming streets. Our focus will be on improving the pedestrian environment in business districts, shopping centres, and leisure areas with heavy pedestrian flows. For example, we will consider constructing additional pedestrian subways in Causeway Bay linking the MTR station with Victoria Park as well as the busy streets in the heart of Causeway Bay and its junction with Happy Valley; extending the footbridge system in Mong Kok to cover central Mong Kok and the Tai Kok Tsui area; and developing a footbridge system at Castle Peak Road (Yuen Long) in the Yuen Long town centre. We expect to put forward specific proposals as early as possible.
108. In addition, we will establish an assessment system for the provision of hillside escalator links and elevator systems. The Housing Department is studying the feasibility of installing lifts and escalators connecting common areas in hillside public housing estates, as well as lifts in walk-up, low-rise public housing blocks to facilitate resident access.
Cultural and Recreational Diversity
109. To tie in with the WKCD development, we need to enhance our software by promoting cultural activities in the community and tapping into cultural consumption markets. To bring more cultural activities into local communities, the Government will encourage cultural and performing arts groups to stage performances across the territory. We will continue to support artistic creations and overseas exchanges, encourage tertiary institutions and professional arts groups to nurture intermediaries for arts services, and develop a broad audience base. Our joint efforts will help realise the vision of developing Hong Kong into a world-class arts and culture destination.
Sports Development
110. The tremendous success of the Beijing 2008 Olympic and Paralympic Games, coupled with our success in staging the Olympic and Paralympic Equestrian Events, has aroused much community interest in sports. We will step up our efforts on various fronts, such as further promoting sports in the community, organising more major sports events, and reinforcing support for elite athletes. In this way, we can make the best preparations for hosting the Hong Kong 2009 East Asian Games, and prepare for the Guangzhou 2010 Asian Games, and the London 2012 Olympics. The Hong Kong Sports Institute is being redeveloped to provide world-class training facilities for our athletes, including disabled athletes. With the participation of districts and schools, we will launch more effective feeder programmes to identify and nurture budding young athletes for competitive sports. We will also encourage the business community to support our sports development. For instance, they can sponsor major sports events organised by the National Sports Associations, or work more closely with the sports sector in such areas as attracting sports professionals from the Mainland, youth training and post-retirement arrangements for athletes.
Immigration Convenience
111. As a tourism, financial, business and trading centre in the Asia-Pacific region, Hong Kong must continue to attract business visitors and tourists from the rest of the world. Hong Kong people often go on sightseeing or business trips to the Mainland and overseas. Last year, the passenger traffic in and out of Hong Kong continued to rise, almost topping 220 million trips. Convenient and efficient immigration services are essential. Hong Kong has so far secured mutual visa-free access or visa-on-arrival arrangements with more than 130 countries and regions. We are about to conclude an agreement with our close neighbour, the Macao Special Administrative Region, to further streamline clearance for residents travelling between the two places. We expect the new measures to take effect in mid-2009. For Taiwan, I have just outlined measures to facilitate the entry of its people. In addition, we expect to sign a mutual visa-free access agreement with Russia in the near future. This will be the first such agreement signed by Russia with a developed economy, and will help promote the trade and tourism development between our two economies.
(To be continued)
Ends/Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Issued at HKT 12:22
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