BUILDING FOR THE FUTURE
31. We are building for the future through our investment in education, and we are building literally building-for our future, too. I am daily astonished by the speed and scale of construction in Hong Kong. One can scarcely turn one's back before another foundation stone is laid, another ground-breaking ceremony performed, another skyscraper topped out. A special feature of the Hong Kong success story is the partnership between the Government and the business community to provide and develop Hong Kong's infrastructure. Everywhere I go I see the fruits of this partnership from new industry to new hospitals, from the Tolo Highway to the Island Eastern Corridor. Everywhere I go I see projects built, in true Hong Kong style, within cost and on, or ahead of, time. And of course there are the new towns, staggering achievements in their own right.
32. We shall continue to build for the future. The Government alone plans to spend some $78 billion over the next five years getting on for half as much again as we spent over the previous five, and an astonishing $1.8 million dollars an hour. And that is in addition to our contribution to the airport core projects. Amongst other things, this money will pay for a new infirmary at Tai Po, the reclamation of 69 hectares of land at Tseung Kwan O for housing and community facilities, major drainage improvements in the north-west New Territories, and the reclamation of 55 hectares of land in Tuen Mun for special industries. These projects may not sound as glamorous and exciting as the new airport, but they are vital components in our programme to upgrade the quality of life in our community.
Waiting for Take-off
33. The airport is, of course, the largest of our building projects. When it is built as it will be the new airport will confirm Hong Kong's position at the crossroads of Asia.
34. From time to time I hear it said that Hong Kong doesn't really need a new airport. To those who entertain such doubts, I say this:
-if Hong Kong is to continue as Asia's premier business city, we
need a new airport;
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