The Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On, said conserving cultural heritage and improving people’s living quality were the Government’s major considerations in planning the new urban reclamation areas.

He stressed that to act in line with the laws on heritage conservation was a common purpose of all public departments: the Government would take into consideration the public opinion and advice from experts when making its policy.

Mr Chui said this at a public event on 15 July, when he also encouraged the public to contribute their opinions on the planning of the five plots of reclaimed land during the consultation period, which will end at 8 August.

He said he would keep close touch with secretaries and would ask the departments of public works and cultural affairs to study the city’s development and heritage conservation to ensure the landscape would not be affected.

In views of Zone A and Zone B, Mr Chui said the two of the five reclaimed areas would have to sustain the city’s development, especially the planning of housing and public infrastructure, to fulfil the Government’s goal in continuously enhancing the people’s living quality.

The Government’s efforts in heritage conservation had achieved primary results; but there were room for improvement in revitalising heritage attractions, he said, adding that the Government would look into the experience of other areas to improve the work in this aspect.