ENG-1989 — Page 29

A VISION OF THE FUTURE

Hong Kong clean, important though that is. Pollution can, and often does, cause damage to our health and to that of our children. We must bring it under control. The fact that we propose to spend at least $20 billion in the next decade shows how important this objective is. Much of this money will be spent on the complete overhaul of our sewerage system and the construction of three massive landfill sites and associated refuse transfer stations.

Money alone cannot solve our pollution problems. Nor can the government alone. Each individual member of this community has a vital contribution to make in creating an environment that is safe and pleasant. Until recently, far too many of us in Hong Kong were unaware of the threats to our environment. We placed far too little importance on protecting it. This attitude is already changing. It must change further. The government has given a lead. But the community must also play its part.

On July 19, during the debate on the White Paper, several Members of this Council stressed the need to improve environmental education. The government has taken this advice to heart. This year, apart from pushing ahead vigorously with the 100 separate initiatives in the White Paper, we will give greater emphasis to environmental education. We must make everyone aware of the impact that pollution has on our community; we must make everyone recognise the importance of doing something about it, and we must make everyone realise that they have a part to play in making Hong Kong a cleaner and greener place.

Building for the Future: Physical Infrastructure

In the next few years, we will also need to put a great deal of effort into building up the physical infrastructure needed for a modern city which is not only home to almost six million people but also an important regional and international centre. In doing this, we will take account both of the requirements of Hong Kong itself and of those areas of Southern China with which we now have such close economic links.

The Airport

Last October, I said that a range of studies was being carried out to devise a strategy for the long term development of our port and airport. These have now been completed. They show that there is a clear case on economic grounds for building a new airport as soon as possible.

After an exhaustive study of the various options, the government has decided to build a new Hong Kong International Airport at Chek Lap Kok. It will be a two-runway airport built to the most exacting modern standards and able to operate 24 hours a day. When completed, it will be able to handle 80 million passengers a year - over three times the maximum capacity of Kai Tak. Our aim will be to open the first of the two runways by the early part of 1997.

Building the airport itself, enormous though that project will be, is only part of the story, We have to make sure that people can get to it easily and quickly. To do this we plan to build a high-speed rail system and a six-lane highway which will join North Lantau to Tsing Yi Island and go from there along the new West Kowloon Reclamation to a Western Harbour Crossing and then to Hong Kong Island. We will also have to provide all the facilities needed for servicing a new airport. This means building a new town for at least 150 000 people, plus industrial and commercial facilities, in the Tung Chung valley.

Building the new airport, and the road and rail links associated with it, will be the largest project ever undertaken in Hong Kong. It will require an immense amount of effort from both the public and the private sector. To have the new airport in operation in early 1997

17