Multiple benefit measures to usher in an auspicious Year of the Dog
18 February 2018
On Day Three of the Chinese New Year, may I wish everyone in Hong Kong good health, happiness and many good times with the family.
"Three" is an auspicious number in the Chinese culture. It is often associated with luck, liveliness and vitality. This year, as it happens, the number is also associated with a host of government initiatives in the pipeline that will bring great benefits to the public.
Three mega infrastructure projects of land transport are scheduled for commissioning this year, namely the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge, the Hong Kong Section of the Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong Express Rail Link, and the Liantang/Heung Yuen Wai Boundary Control Point. These three new cross-boundary facilities will bolster our connectivity with not only the Mainland, but also regions further afield. It will bring about greater flow of people, goods, capital and information, and enable us to give full play to our strengths in the development of Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Bay Area and the Belt and Road Initiative.
Youth development is high on the SAR Government's agenda. Three aspects each about young people's personal attainment and participation in public affairs have been identified as priorities in last October's Policy Address. We will strive to address their concerns about education, career pursuit and home ownership, and encourage their participation in politics as well as public policy discussion and debate. In so doing, the younger generation will see hope for the future. This will, in turn, help address deep-rooted social conflicts.
Three high-level commissions with cross-department and cross-sector representation chaired by me will soon be established, namely the Children Commission, the Youth Development Commission, and the Human Resources Planning Commission. Through closer community-government-business collaboration, they will take on identified issues to nurture the next generation of our society, boost young people's social mobility and enhance Hong Kong's human capital. Their common objective is to create a well-equipped local workforce and foster our soft-power and competitiveness in the long run.
Three important facilities, namely a children's hospital, a culinary school and an opera house, for the healthcare, education and culture sectors respectively are also expected to open by the end of the year.
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The first is the new Hong Kong Children's Hospital, which is undergoing installation and testing of systems and equipment following the completion of building construction works. Commencement of operation is expected in the fourth quarter of this year. Located in the Kai Tak Development Area, this specialist hospital for complex paediatric cases will work closely with the existing 13 paediatric departments of Hospital Authority hospitals through a hub-and-spoke model to form a co-ordinated service network.
The hospital will launch its services in phases and provides over 400 beds upon full opening. Besides medical facilities such as in-patient and day-patient beds, operating theatres and a rehabilitation centre, it is also equipped with research and training facilities as well as recreation and play therapy areas specially designed for children patients.
The Hospital Authority is now pressing ahead with medical service planning, professional training, procurement of research equipment, etc. for the commissioning of the hospital. Dedicated clinical Work Groups on various paediatric sub-specialties and service areas have been formed to discuss and propose the service models and re-organisation plans. Doctors, nurses, allied health personnel and other staff for the new hospital will be deployed from other hospitals or employed through internal and open recruitment.
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The second important project is the International Culinary Institute, which is established under the Vocational Training Council and built on a site adjacent to the existing complex of the council in Pokfulam. With a target opening date of late 2018, the well equipped institute is set to offer a wide range of quality professional culinary programmes and deliver professional training for students and in-service practitioners aspiring to become top chefs specialising in international cuisines. The opportunities provided will help young people gain career entry or advancement. The culinary programmes will cover Asian, European, Mediterranean, American and Middle Eastern cuisines. Programmes covering wine, culinary science, international theme park and event management will also be available.
The International Culinary Institute will provide about 2 000 places each year after its opening. Higher diploma and diploma graduates from the institute can add to their credentials by sitting exams to obtain professional qualifications conferred by professional bodies. The institute will also offer diverse learning experiences including exposure to culinary competitions at a local or international level, such as World Skills Competition and the International Young Chef Challenge. Moreover, it is expected that through attracting renowned chefs and culinary experts from around the world to our city, the institute will help consolidate our status as a Gourmets' Paradise and foster and support the growth and sustainability of the hospitality and tourism sector in Hong Kong and the region.
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Lastly, the Xiqu Centre, a world-class venue specifically built in the West Kowloon Cultural District for xiqu (Chinese traditional operatic arts) performances and dedicated to the conservation, promotion and development of Cantonese opera and other xiqu genres. With its building structure already completed, the Xiqu Centre is expected to open at the end of the year. It houses a range of facilities, including the 1 050-seat Grand Theatre, 200-seat Tea House Theatre and 120-seat Seminar Hall, which are good for performances, developing new repertory, research, education, training and exchange.
As a new year dawns, I believe that it is our common wish to see more progress, solidarity and harmony in Hong Kong. The Government has mapped out multiple benefit policies and measures for the Year of the Dog. "Three" turns out to be a lucky symbol after all, by the look of the auspicious line-up for the year ahead. May I wish you all once again a year full of contentment and success.
