XN000022-1997-04-03 — Page 9

- 7 -

Within a period of four-and-a-half-years, the rugged and uninhabited shoreline of the north Lantau coast has been completely transformed. About seven million cubic metres of soil and rock have been excavated, 20 million cubic metres of marine sand have been imported forming 190 hectares of land and more than nine kilometres of seawalls built.

"During peak construction, the project deployed a dredging fleet which was one of the largest in the world. Vehicular bridges, pedestrian subways and various highway structures have also been constructed amongst which are the three big bridges each 320 metres long, spanning the sea channel between Lantau and Chek Lap Kok Island," he said.

The expressway had been divided into three sections, namely Yam O, Tai Ho and Tung Chung, for construction to suit the location and nature of works, the completion dates of sites for airport support facilities and the Tung Chung new town development programme, Mr Leung said.

"Perhaps the most challenging aspect of the project has been the co-ordination of the numerous interfaces with projects of other parties, such as the Airport Authority, Mass Transit Railway Corporation, Territory Development Department and utility companies. This has required a high level of co-ordination and effort by all parties during the planning, design and construction stages of the project," he said.

End

Secretary for Treasury to attend APEC Finance Ministers Meeting

The Secretary for the Treasury, Mr K C Kwong, will depart for the Philippines tomorrow (Friday) for the Fourth Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Finance Ministers Meeting (FMM) to be held in Cebu between April 4 and 6.

He will lead an eight-member delegation, with representatives from the Finance Branch, the Financial Services Branch and the Hong Kong Monetary Authority. The APEC FMM will discuss a wide range of financial issues, including maintaining stable capital flows and exchange rates, accelerating the development of financial and capital markets and stimulating private sector participation in infrastructure development.

Mr Kwong will return to Hong Kong on Monday (April 7).

End