At the invitation of the West Kowloon Cultural District Authority ("WKCDA"), the Legislative Council ("LegCo") Joint Subcommittee to Monitor the Implementation of the West Kowloon Cultural District Project ("Joint Subcommittee") visited the West Kowloon Cultural District ("WKCD") this afternoon (21 December) to learn the latest development of the WKCD Project.

Members were first given an overview of the latest state of play of the hardware development of the WKCD by Mr Duncan PESCOD, Chief Executive Officer of WKCDA, at the WKCDA Project Site Office.  Members then took a trial ride on the Autonomous Shuttle, an 100% self-driving electric car, at the Nursery Park.  Members were pleased to learn that the introduction of the autonomous vehicle would enhance pedestrian connectivity within WKCD and make the venues accessible to all.

With the company of Mr PESCOD and representatives of WKCDA and the Home Affairs Bureau, Members then visited the construction sites of the Xiqu Centre and the Artist Square respectively.  The Xiqu Centre, which is a venue specifically built for xiqu (Chinese opera) performances, is expected to open in late 2018 and will be the first major performing arts venue in WKCD.  At the construction site of the Xiqu Centre, Members took the opportunity to see for themselves the construction progress of the Grand Theatre, the Tea House Theatre and the Atrium, the major facilities in the Xiqu Centre.

At the Artist Square Integrated Site Office, Members were briefed the latest development of M+ and the Lyric Theatre Complex.  The former will be a museum of visual culture scheduled to open in 2019 and the latter will be a performing arts venue scheduled to be completed in around 2021.

Members also visited the construction site of the Art Park to gain a better understanding of its three-phase development.  According to the phasing plan, the final phase covering Freespace, a performance venue, is expected to be completed by the end of 2018.

Members who participated in the visit are the Chairman of the Joint Subcommittee, Hon LAU Kwok-fan; members of the Joint Subcommittee Hon Claudia MO, Dr Hon Helena WONG Pik-wan and Hon CHU Hoi-dick; and non-members Dr Hon Elizabeth QUAT, Dr Hon CHIANG Lai-wan and Hon CHAN Chun-ying.

The Joint Subcommittee is a subcommittee formed under the LegCo Panel on Development and the LegCo Panel on Home Affairs.

Ends/Thursday, 21 December 2017
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The Legislative Council Joint Subcommittee to Monitor the Implementation of the West Kowloon Cultural District Project visits the West Kowloon Cultural District.  Photo shows (from left) Dr Hon Helena WONG Pik-wan, Dr Hon Elizabeth QUAT, Dr Hon CHIANG Lai-wan, Hon Claudia MO, the Chairman of the Joint Subcommittee Hon LAU Kwok-fan, Hon CHU Hoi-dick and Hon CHAN Chun-ying.

Accompanied by the Chief Executive Officer of the West Kowloon Cultural District Authority, Mr Duncan PESCOD (first left), Members of the Legislative Council enjoy a ride on the Autonomous Shuttle, an 100% self-driving electric car in the West Kowloon Cultural District.

Members of the Legislative Council visit the site of the Xiqu Centre in the West Kowloon Cultural District and receive a briefing on the construction progress.

Members of the Legislative Council receive a briefing on the construction progress of M+ and the Lyric Theatre Complex by representatives of the West Kowloon Cultural District Authority from the rooftop of the Artist Square Integrated Site Office.

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