TNAG-1744-FCO40-2463-Visits-by-FCO-officials-to-Hong-Kong--including-visit-by-Lor-1988 — Page 220

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CONFIDENTIAL

VISIT OF LORD GLENARTHUR TO HONG KONG: 29 JUNE 1 JULY 1988

BACKGROUND BRIEF C: MAJOR DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS IN HONG KONG

PUBLIC SECTOR

1.

Government capital expenditure in 1988/89 will total HK dollars 6,770 million, excluding expenditure on public housing. As in previous years, about half is being devoted to infrastrucutre and facilities in the new towns. Three of the these Tsuen Wan, Sha Tin and Tuen Mun are well over half-completed. Tai Po, Yuen

The first Long and Fanling new towns are also well advanced. housing in Junk Bay has just been occupied. Formation work is just starting in Tin Shui Wai in the North-Western New Territories.

2.

Approximately 40,000 public housing flats, for rental and sale mostly in the new towns, are expected to be constructed this year, at a cost of about dollars 5 billion. About 30,000 private sector flats are also expected to be built.

3.

Other major public sector projects now in progress are the

following:

(a) a 1,600 bed hospital in Tuen Mun is nearly completed and will be opened at the end of 1988. Work on another 1,600 bed hospital in the Eastern district of Hong Kong Island is just starting, for completion in 1992;

(b) the new Cultural Centre in Tsim Sha Tsui is scheduled for

completion in October 1988;

(c) the University of Science and Technology will begin construction in 1989 with a view to a first intake in 1991.

CONFIDENTIAL

C