Hong Kong Immigration Focus on Hong Kong Immigrant Life: Director of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department of the Hong Kong SAR Government, Michelle Li, stated on the 22nd that the plan to optimize the Tsim Sha Tsui waterfront aims to transform it into a more attractive and vibrant public space. Both project construction and operating expenses will be borne by the operating organization, involving no public funds, allowing the public to enjoy the optimized facilities without paying a single cent. It is believed that for the public, this is a very good choice.
The Tsim Sha Tsui waterfront in Hong Kong is a must-visit attraction for tourists. The Town Planning Board (TPB) of the Hong Kong SAR Government approved on the 21st a plan jointly proposed by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department and New World Development Company Limited to optimize the Tsim Sha Tsui waterfront, including the expansion of the Avenue of Stars. The plan proposes to divide the promenade into dining, entertainment, and leisure zones, with construction expected to take 3 years.
The Town Planning Board also attached conditions, requiring the applicant to maintain the pedestrian walkway outside the planned film exhibition venue at its original width of 7.5 meters; it also requested the applicant to consider shortening the 3-year closure period or implementing it in phases.
Speaking on a television program on the 22nd, Michelle Li stated that the financial burden of operating the waterfront is significant, with high expenses for management, maintenance, cleaning, security, and tree care, and that there is little chance of recovering costs in the early stages of operation. Delegating the management to a non-profit organization under New World is cost-effective.
She said that extending the waterfront optimization plan from the Tsim Sha Tsui waterfront to Hung Hom can develop the entire Tsim Sha Tsui waterfront, introduce more diverse dining, entertainment, and leisure elements, and increase the space for residents and tourists to enjoy the facilities. She believes the project will help attract foot traffic to East Tsim Sha Tsui, benefiting surrounding hotels and restaurants, and creating a win-win situation.
Michelle Li emphasized that the Leisure and Cultural Services Department retains land ownership and will also act in a supervisory and monitoring role to ensure that operations serve the public interest.
Secretary for Home Affairs of the HKSAR Government, Lau Kong-wah, also stated on the same day that he welcomed the Town Planning Board's approval of the Tsim Sha Tsui waterfront optimization plan. He emphasized that adopting the cooperative model with a non-profit organization under New World to operate the optimized Tsim Sha Tsui waterfront does not deviate from established government policy; since New World is already an agent and is currently involved in operations, the cooperation is logical.