INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS
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the North Lantau Highway and the airport runway. On the same day, about 5 000 people, some disabled, took part in a 10-Kilometre Race held at the airport. Both events were organised by the Hong Kong Amateur Athletic Association, and supported by the New Airport Projects Co-ordination Office (NAPCO) and the Airport Authority (AA).
Some 35 000 people took part in the 'New Airport Tour for Millions' on March 29 which was jointly organised by NAPCO, the AA and the Community Chest of Hong Kong. Led by the Chief Secretary for Administration, the walkers covered about six kilometres on the airport island. The route included the first runway and the passenger terminal. On May 15, items ranging from a weather logbook to a passport specimen were placed inside a time capsule at the new airport to mark the completion of government facilities there. Representatives of government departments operating at the airport and the AA contributed to the time capsule which will be opened in 30 years.
A series of ceremonies was held to commemorate the commissioning of various facilities at the airport. These included the opening of the Airport Police Station on April 24 by the Commissioner of Police; the Chek Lap Kok Fire Station on April 26 by the Secretary for Security; the Air Mail Centre on June 8 by the Financial Secretary; and the Government Flying Service Headquarters by the Chief Executive on July 29. Commemorative stamps and a commemorative gold coin were issued on July 5 and July 6 by the Hongkong Post and the Hong Kong Monetary Authority, respectively, to mark the new airport's commissioning. At the same time, the AA issued its commemorative book, Vision to Reality.
Benefits for the Community
Besides providing a modern 24-hour international airport, the ACP brings substantial benefits to the HKSAR. Transport links have been created and improved alleviating traffic congestion in various districts. Lantau, Hong Kong's largest island, is now connected by bridge and rail to the rest of the territory. Much-needed new land has been created for community, commercial and residential use in the urban area through the two reclamation projects and the old airport at Kai Tak offers a site for redevelopment.
Beyond catering for Hong Kong's needs in the next century, the new airport also consolidates Hong Kong's position as a centre of international and regional aviation as well as a major centre of trade, finance and tourism in the Asia-Pacific Region.
Completion of the ACP projects has also generated further local jobs and business opportunities. It is estimated that the new airport and the AR alone provided 45 650 jobs upon opening.
International Participation
By the opening of the new airport on July 6, a total of 183 major contracts worth about $96.4 billion had been awarded. They included 93 contracts awarded by the government (worth $38.4 billion); 58 contracts awarded by the AA ($34.5 billion); 31 contracts totalling $17.8 billion awarded by the MTR Corporation; and one contract ($5.7 billion) awarded by the Western Harbour Tunnel Company Limited (WHTC). The government, AA, MTR Corporation and WHTC welcomed international participation in ACP contracts and strictly applied Hong Kong's fine tradition of a