Remarks by CE at media session before Executive Council today

Chief Executive John Lee made remarks at a media session before the Executive Council meeting today (Oct. 29).

First, the reporter inquired about the government's plans, if any, to develop Port Island into a tourism spot, particularly in light of the fact that dinosaur fossils have been discovered in Hong Kong for the first time. The reporter wanted to know what targets the government has in utilizing the dinosaur fossils to attract tourists.

John Lee replied, "The dinosaur fossil is the first discovery in Hong Kong, we are all very excited. On Port Island, of course, work is now proceeding to ensure that we will do the best discovery as possible, and also to ensure that we'll maintain the fossils so that it will not only help research, but will also help develop Hong Kong as a place for us to learn more about the history of dinosaurs. And we will also grasp this opportunity to develop it into maybe a tourist attraction. So rightfully, we will be considering how to develop this into a good attraction. First of all, we will be making use of the courtyard of the Hong Kong Heritage Discovery Centre in Tsim Sha Tsui to build a workshop and exhibition area for people to see the work of the experts and also to see the fossils being prepared. We also plan for a long-term display so that we can all learn more about palaeontology."

"In fact, what is encouraging is the discovery on Port Island is in the area of our Geopark. And you know that under the UNESCO Geopark, we actually have a very famous and spectacular spot, which is the hexagonal volcanic rock columns. That is, I think, one of the strongest attractions for people who are interested in natural resources, natural heritage, and also enjoying the nature. So indeed, we will be making use of this opportunity to develop some special tourist lines so that they can look at, first of all, the hexagonal volcanic rock columns, as well as all the other attractions of our Geopark, including some exhibitions of the dinosaur fossils. The Tourism Board, and I think those who work in the tourism industry, will be working hard to develop these new attraction lines of visiting."

The second question pertained to the Kai Tak Sports Park, asking whether there is a need to stage more and larger drills at the Sports Park following the exercise that took place on Oct. 7, and how many drills should be held at the main stadium, which is primarily used for large-scale events involving 50,000 spectators.

The Chief Executive stated that regarding the drills for the Kai Tak Sports Park, which are essential to prepare for the grand opening and subsequent events, it is very important to conduct all necessary drills in a progressive manner. This approach is intended to train departmental staff, those working at Kai Tak Sports Park Limited, and individuals involved in the transport industry.

He acknowledged that the challenge lies in the dispersal of crowds after an event that will accommodate 50,000 spectators, emphasizing that this challenge must be met boldly. He also mentioned that he has been advocating for different levels of drills to test various operational procedures and risks, as well as to learn from the experiences of those who will ultimately be part of the audience of 50,000.

He further explained that the progression of drills would help develop the system to ensure smooth operations. Initial testing would focus on the transport system, followed by all three sports grounds, starting with the Youth Sports Ground, then the indoor sports center, and finally the main stadium. He expressed the importance of refining plans based on experiences gained at each step and indicated that while he wants the drills to progress quickly, it is also crucial to incorporate reviews and improvement measures. He envisaged conducting at least 20 drills and noted that the need for additional drills would depend on the experiences gained from those already completed.

To facilitate this process, he has established a task force led by the Chief Secretary for Administration to oversee the coordination among all government departments, Kai Tak Sports Park Limited, and transportation operators. This task force will ensure that all contingency plans are developed, including those for emergencies and extreme weather conditions, while maintaining a focus on safety. He expressed confidence that through these various drills, participants would become familiar with the overall operation of the system. He also expressed his excitement to learn that those who took part in the recent drill were very committed and demonstrated a strong desire to ensure a successful opening and ongoing operation of the Kai Tak Sports Park for Hong Kong.

Related News:

First dinosaur fossil discovery in HK: Govt to consider developing tourist attractions

CE: Kai Tak Sports Park to hold test matches, drills again in mid-November