Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Chief Executive Donald Tsang announced the appointment of members to the Board of the West Kowloon Cultural District Authority to accelerate the construction of the cultural district project.

Chief Secretary for Administration of HKSAR government Henry Tang was appointed as chairman of the board while 15 non-public officers include orchestral conductor, film production administrator, professor, planner, architect and qualified accountant.

Three other public officer members appointed to the board are the Secretary for Home Affairs, Secretary for Development and Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury of the HKSAR government.

The term of the board was two years.

"The West Kowloon Cultural District (WKCD) is a major initiative to promote arts and cultural development to enrich Hong Kong people's cultural life," Tsang said, add: "I am confident that the board members, with their collective expertise, experience and distinguished record of community service, will bring this vital project to a success."

The board will hold its first meeting this month to launch the WKCD project and will later recruit a Chief Executive Officer in due course, taking into account the qualifications and attributes that are required for spearheading the development of the WKCD.

The WKCD Authority is responsible for the planning, development, operation and maintenance of the arts and cultural facilities and related facilities in the WKCD.

According to the WKCD Authority Ordinance, the board is the governing and executive body of the WKCD Authority, which consists of a chairman, three public officers and between eight to 15 non- public officers.

To avoid potential conflict of interest, all board members will declare their interest for public inspection.

The development of the cultural district, a 40-hectare waterfront site, is envisaged as a new cultural icon for Hong Kong, incorporating performance venues, museums, a multi-level complex of entertainment and retail facilities, some residential development, extensive open space, a waterfront promenade, an automated people mover and a spectacular canopy.

In July this year, the Legislative Council approved a funding application by the HKSAR government for 21.6 billion HK dollars ( about 2.77 billion U.S. dollars) to build the cultural district.

(Xinhua News Agency October 23, 2008)