The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government is committed to making Victoria Harbour attractive, vibrant, accessible and symbolic of Hong Kong - a harbour for the people and a harbour of life, the Secretary for Development, Mrs Carrie Lam, said in Auckland, New Zealand, today (March 29).
Mrs Lam made a presentation on Hong Kong's Victoria Harbour at the Sea Edge Symposium for Waterfront Development Leaders held in Auckland yesterday (March 28). She also spoke at one of the symposium discussion sessions entitled "Turning Vision into Strategy" today. Other topics addressed at the symposium included investment and implementation, building identity and belonging, and managing the development cycle.
The symposium, attended by 10 waterfront cities including Hong Kong, was opened with a traditional welcoming ceremony, Powhiri, at Auckland's waterfront. Mrs Lam was invited to represent all waterfront leaders at this traditional welcoming ceremony. Powhiri is a welcoming ceremony extended by Ngati Whatua, the tribe of indigenous people of Auckland, and the ceremony served to unite both the visiting cities and the host in an environment of friendship and peace.
Hosted by the Auckland Council and Waterfront Auckland, the symposium brought together senior officials and executives from Auckland, Wellington, Seattle, San Francisco, Hamburg, Cape Town, Busan, Taichung City, Singapore and Hong Kong to exchange ideas and share experiences on waterfront development.
Mrs Lam and other conference participants visited the Wynyard Quarter this morning. Originally an area for port-related industry, the Wynyard Quarter is now being revitalised to create a range of public open spaces that provide a variety of experiences.
Mrs Lam also took advantage of the symposium to receive an update and learn about the latest developments of Waterfront Auckland from the Chief Executive of Waterfront Auckland, Mr John Dalzell, and exchange views with the Mayor of Auckland, Mr Len Brown.
Mrs Lam will return to Hong Kong tomorrow (March 30).
Ends/Thursday, March 29, 2012
Issued at HKT 16:51
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