LaDA Newsletter (5th Issue)
LaDA Greater Bay Area Visit 2019
The LaDA Greater Bay Area Visit 2019 was successfully held during 13-15 May 2019. We are honoured to have Dr. Fang Zhou, Research Director of One Country Two Systems Research Institute, to serve again as the tour’s Senior Honorary Advisor. Mr Vincent Chua, Chairman of the Alliance, served as the tour leader. The aim of this year’s visit is to promote Lantau’s abundant tourism resources to parties in the Greater Bay Area. For this purpose, LaDA members have produced a booklet in joint effort for the organisations’ reference.
The three-day visit began with a ride on the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge from Hong Kong to Zhuhai, followed by visits to Foshan and Guangzhou. One of the trip’s highlights was the conference sessions with organisations in the Greater Bay Area, including the Hongkong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge Authority in Zhuhai, the Administration Committee of Hengqin New Area, and the Guangdong Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism. Opportunities for collaboration in tourism planning have been discussed.
The tour also consisted of site visits to enhance participants’ understanding of the Greater Bay Area’s mode of tourism development. In Hong Kong, participants visited the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge Boundary Crossing Facility. In Foshan, they explored Lingnan Tiandi, Foshan High-tech Industrial Development Zone, and the Craftsmanship Spirit Exhibition Hall. In Guangzhou, they visited Litchi Bay, Guangzhou Liwan Museum, Xiguan Mansion, and Yong Qing Fang.
The tour concluded at West Kowloon Station after a ride on the Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong Express Rail Link. The Alliance looks forward to continuing its close communication with the Greater Bay Area in the future, and to further cooperation in tourism matters.
"Youth-up²" 2nd Completion cum 3rd Recognition Ceremony
LaDA Chairman Mr Vincent Chua represented the Alliance to attend the “Youth-up²” 2nd Completion cum 3rd Recognition Ceremony on March 23, 2019, witnessing the graduation of the second batch of students and commending the performance of the outstanding students of the third batch.
“Youth-up²” is a project operated by the collaboration between the social, commercial and education sectors to promote youth mobility. Companies from LaDA have provided paid internship opportunities for students in the program, hoping to facilitate placements of job seekers in the vicinity of their residence and to enhance students’ sense of belonging to their neighbourhood. LaDA hopes that various sectors can continue to cooperate to promote employment on Lantau.
Meeting with Hong Kong Islands District Association
LaDA had a gathering with the Hong Kong Islands District Association (HKIDA) on February 19, 2019. Committee members from HKIDA who attended include HKIDA Chairman Mr Li Fung-lok, Vice Chairman Mr. Fan Chi-ping, Executive Chairwoman Mrs Chau Chuen-heung, Executive Vice Chairman Mr Yu Hon-kwan Randy, and Vice Chairman Mr Wong Fuk-kan.
During the gathering, LaDA Chairman Mr Vincent Chua introduced the background of LaDA, and shared the Alliance’s view on Lantau transport and tourism facilities. Then, members of HKIDA gave their opinions on the Lantau Tomorrow Vision project.
The Alliance will continue to exchange ideas with different organisations to create a sustainable Lantau.
Meeting with LegCo Members and Sustainable Lantau Office
LaDA members met LegCo members Mr Yiu Si-wing, Mr Holden Chow Ho-ding and Mr Frankie Yick Chi-ming, and officials from Sustainable Lantau Office on 11 January, 2019, offering suggestions on the use of the Lantau Conservation Fund.
The Lantau Tomorrow Vision in the Policy Address was announced last year, where it was suggested setting up a $1 billion Lantau Conservation Fund to promote and implement conservation of rural Lantau, and to pursue livelihood improvement works in remote villages and communities.
LaDA proposed the following suggestions at the meeting: (1) Adding more signage and information boards at various Lantau tourism spots and repairing tourism facilities(加強大嶼山旅遊設施的指示及各景點的修葺); (2) Implementing tourism promotion schemes through tendering to divert tourist flow(透過招標推行旅遊推廣計劃); (3) Enhancing the transportation network and planning tourism routes for promoting “point-to-point” tourism on Lantau(完善交通網絡及規劃多條旅遊路線); (4) Setting up tourism information centre at the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge Boundary Crossing Facility (Hong Kong) for tourists to acquire information and book tickets(於港珠澳大橋香港口岸人工島成立旅遊資源諮詢中心); (5) Enriching tourists’ travel experience, for instance by building a glass bridge between Ngong Ping and Nei Lak Shan(豐富大嶼山旅遊體驗).
In response, Mr Yiu shared three key ideas regarding Lantau development: conservation, recreation and tourism, all of which point to the goals of allowing more Hong Kong residents to enjoy Lantau tourism resources, and promoting green tourism.
Officials from the Sustainable Lantau Office acknowledged LaDA’s comments. They then explained the scope of the Fund and the Office’s ongoing projects, such as designing travel routes and installing private car chargers.
LaDA will continue to work closely with various government departments to promote sustainable development on Lantau.
Community Investment and Inclusion Fund (CIIF) Social Capital Builder (SCB) Awards Presentation Ceremony 2018
LaDA board member Mr Leung Siu-tong attended the “Social Capital Builder (SCB) Awards Presentation Ceremony 2018” on behalf of the Alliance to receive the “Social Capital Builder (SCB) Logo Award 2018” on 18 December, 2018. The award ceremony was held at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre.
Mr Matthew Cheung Kin-chung, GBS, JP, the Chief Secretary for Administration, served as the ceremony’s officiating guest. The ceremony was held in recognition of the significant contributions of outstanding CIIF projects, partners and individuals to social capital building.
LaDA envisages continual collaboration between different sectors to drive sustainable social and community development on Lantau.