Kowloon East is being transformed into another core business district in Hong Kong. Since its establishment in 2012, the Energizing Kowloon East Office (EKEO) under the Development Bureau (DEVB) has been committed to enhancing the connectivity, improving the environment and releasing the development potential of the area. In view of general public support for enhancing the public spaces along the harbourfront, we have further injected vibrancy into the unused sites beneath Kwun Tong Bypass and open them for use by the public and organisations……

The revitalisation and adaptive re-use of historic buildings is always something to look forward to. I earlier visited the Central Police Station (CPS) Compound, also known as “Tai Kwun” (or Big Station in the literal sense), on Hollywood Road in Central to see the works progress. I learned that the Government has been maintaining a strong partnership with the Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC) to take forward this revitalisation project. I am pleased to see that the project is progressing well and hope that the HKJC will be able to open part of the CPS Compound by mid-2018, and provide the public with a quality cultural space blending elements of built heritage, contemporary art and leisure. Also, it will provide a new hub for the public to gather, unwind and enjoy life at a slower pace and improve their quality of life……

Time passes, things change … To mark the 20th anniversary of Hong Kong’s return to the motherland, the Survey and Mapping Office (SMO) of the Lands Department (LandsD) published a new aerial photo collection – Flashbacks of Two Decades in Hong Kong – to document major developments in the city and bring us back in time to see the changing face of Hong Kong through the featured historic and new images taken by the SMO throughout the years. Here I would like to introduce to you the production team behind the scenes – our colleagues of the SMO; to find out how much effort they have put in to compile this rich collection and more about their daily work……

Severe typhoon Hato ravaged Hong Kong earlier, and its combined effect of gale force winds, torrential rain, massive waves and high tide was astonishing. The Hong Kong Observatory (HKO) had to issue Typhoon Signal number 10 for the first time since 2012. As it is the typhoon season in Hong Kong at present and typhoons may come one after another at any time, we should never let down our guard. I am very grateful to our colleagues of various departments for performing their duties properly and fully co-operating with each other during the typhoon, and to those affected for their patience and understanding. Although there were no major casualties in Hong Kong when Hato struck, we will definitely not take it for granted. I have already asked the departments under the Development Bureau to review their overall prevention and contingency work, so as to take early precautions and make improvements wherever possible to ensure public safety……

The Government is committed to developing Kowloon East into a new core business district with a range of commercial, recreational and tourism facilities. Among the initiatives carried out, the Kai Tak Development (KTD) implemented since 2007 has all along played a major role in promoting the economic development of Hong Kong and revitalising the old districts nearby, including Kowloon City, Wong Tai Sin and Kwun Tong. To perform its role properly, the KTD area requires a convenient, safe, reliable and well-planned transport linkage network. A few days ago, I accompanied the Chief Executive, Mrs LAM CHENG Yuet-ngor, Carrie, to officiate at the opening ceremony of Kai San Road, a new carriageway linking the KTD area and San Po Kong, which signals that the connection between the KTD area and its neighbouring districts is turning a new page……