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Culture and Sport Bureau in enabling the implementation of the proposal in the interests of local residents.
Mr. Chairman, with these remarks, I beg to move.
MR. RONNIE WONG MAN-CHIU (in Cantonese):--Mr. Chairman, I second Mr. Daniel To's motion.
MR. CHAN NOI-YUE (in Cantonese):-As everyone is aware, the Kai Tak International Airport operated for more than 70 years and marked a glorious phase in the development of air transport in Hong Kong. Although it has been replaced by the Chek Lap Kok International Airport, I consider that the Government may consider setting up a 'Museum of Hong Kong Aviation Transport History' and an 'Aviation Transport Theme Park' on the old airport site for local residents and overseas visitors. The construction of the museum would add to the list of sightseeing spots, which hopefully would attract more overseas visitors to Hong Kong while providing local residents with a historical relic reminiscent of the old days.
With these remarks, I support the motion. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
MR. CHAN CHOI-HI (in Cantonese):—I fully support Mr. Daniel To's motion on the setting up of a 'Museum of Hong Kong Aviation Transport History' and an “Aviation Transport Theme Park'.
I recall that last year a Member put forth a motion on the construction of a maritime museum. I consider that if the two ideas were combined, it would bring more benefits. In fact, the idea of setting up a museum of history of general transport can also be considered. Of course, it would be more desirable that an aviation museum could be set up on the old airport site since the theme is compatible with the site.
Nevertheless, I have yet another idea. At present the Chek Lap Kok International Airport is visited by tens of thousands of people, who are visitors either in transit or with Hong Kong as their destination. It is therefore also a site for consideration. In other words, my site selection is not limited to the old Kai Tak site. In fact, the Government is making plans, including the possible provision of some large opera houses on the old Kai Tak site. And if the proposal for the Exposition was endorsed, Kowloon East would definitely be an important choice of site. I am therefore worried that if we put up the proposal for the museum, site selection or the progress of construction might be delayed and it might be possible that the plan would not materialize until some years later. I therefore consider that as far as site selection is concerned, the new airport at Chek Lap Kok could be considered for the following merits:
1. The image of the new airport, which is a very poor one, would improve. I consider that the provision of a museum at the new airport would help improve the cultural image and temperament of Hong Kong;
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