HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
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museum to add to the knowledge and interest of museum visitors. In order to accommodate large exhibits, the maritime museum should be set up along the shore, for example, the present site of Kai Tak Airport or the reclamation areas in Green Island or West Kowloon. These sites will be able to accommodate actual vessels and create an atmosphere of reality.
Thirdly, one of the displays should be on the influence of maritime activities to the social and economic development of Hong Kong and Chinese coastal areas. Studies reveal that Hong Kong was already inhabited more than 6,000 years ago. Apart from the areas to the north of Kowloon, there is little flat land in Hong Kong. We do not have rich natural resources other than catches of fish, so that early settlers in Hong Kong were mostly fishermen.
In the past 100 years or so, there was a close link between Hong Kong and China. In view of the closed door policy of China after the fall of the Qing Dynasty, Hong Kong stood to fill the gap and evolve into an important import and export point. This sort of development has made Hong Kong more important too, particularly to the economic development of China.
When later on Hong Kong became an important transshipment port for international maritime activities, it began to take on an ever more important role in the economic activities of China and South East Asia. For some time, the shipping industry of Hong Kong enjoyed a great boom. Socially, through continual communication with the outside world, we now have a broader outlook and are readily receptive to matters from outside. In Hong Kong, different cultures and schools of thinking co-exist peacefully. It gives rise to positive developments and has created a society of vitality and multi-pronged ideas. Indeed, this is something the people of Hong Kong are proud of and something held in praise by the world.
Through studies from these angles, we can link Hong Kong culture with world culture for a broader outlook. We can also exercise influence on world culture.
The maritime museum can also conduct studies into shipping development in Hong Kong and other influential trends in maritime technology, communication technology, etc. The policy of the Hong Kong Government for massive reclamation work in the Victoria Harbour and its effects should be topics for discussion at the maritime museum too.
Hong Kong is surrounded by sea. It has a beautiful and scenic coastline. Besides sea transportation, we are good at other maritime activities too. I am sure the Chairman remembers the ceremony to launch Chi Fung on its maiden voyage. Chi Fung won a medal for us in the sailboat competition at Osaka. This shows that the people of Hong Kong love sea-going activities.
The Democratic Party hopes fellow colleagues will support this motion. We aim to tell the world about our development in shipping and we intend to
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