Speech by CE at Kai Tak Sports Park Grand Opening Ceremony

Following is the speech by the Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, at the Kai Tak Sports Park Grand Opening Ceremony today (March 1):

(Cantonese)

各位嘉賓、各位朋友、各位市民：

今日，我和大家一樣，懷着興奮和期待的心情，一同見證啟德體育園這個世界級香港新地標的開幕典禮。

一百年前，香港在啟德首次成功試飛雙翼機，之後誕生了啟德機場。今日，香港在啟德締造了啟德體育園。由啟航天際到締造全新體育、文化、藝術世界舞台，香港又一次衝上雲霄，再創高峰。

啟德體育園佔地28公頃，是香港歷來最大型的體育園區，即將迎來來自本地、內地、國際的體育、音樂、文化等頂尖盛事，為香港的「盛匯超級三月」Hong Kong Super March揭開序幕。

這裏是香港規模最大最頂尖的場地，有最大型的開合形天幕、靈活轉換的草坪系統，加上其他先進設計，在不同天氣情況都可舉辦不同的大型活動。

我相信從今日開始，海內外的巨星，都會以在啟德主場館演出為成功的代表，因為在這裏會有最熱情和最國際化的「粉絲」，歡呼和喝采的聲音不只會來自香港，更會來自內地和世界各地！

我感謝所有參與啟德體育園籌劃、興建和營運的人員，參與啟園測試及演練的人員、組織和政府團隊。我更多謝廣大市民的支持，多謝你們！

我現在用普通話歡迎內地同胞和海外說普通話的朋友。

(Putonghua)

各位朋友：

今天開幕的啟德體育園，是香港歷來規模最大、設備最先進的文化體育園區，我們身處的主場館提供50 000個座位，設有全香港最大型的開合形天幕、靈活轉換的草坪系統和其他先進設計，將為演藝體育界提供新的世界標準，以香港前所未有的最大規模、最佳設備，為表演者提供殿堂級的無限展演可能、為參賽者提供世界級競賽設施、為觀眾提供無與倫比的一流體驗。

從「斯諾克」桌球、七人制橄欖球和足球等國際體育競賽，到海內外享負盛名的樂隊和巨星的演唱會，各項盛事，會浪接浪的落戶啟德，許多項目，門票在很短時期內已經售罄。

今年底，由粵港澳三地聯合承辦的「第十五屆全國運動會」多個項目，更將在啟德體育園隆重舉行。

這裏曾經是香港啟德機場的所在地，從鬧市中的機場到世界級體育園，這裏是香港變遷與發展的生動縮影，體現香港「敢為天下先」的精神，在有限空間中創造無限天地。

我歡迎內地和全球朋友，親臨這個全新文體新殿堂，「打卡」體驗，感受這個圓夢舞台的非凡魅力。啟德體育園，歡迎你！香港，歡迎你！

我現在用英語歡迎說英語的朋友。

Ladies and gentlemen, tonight is a grand occasion, the opening of Kai Tak Sports Park – the largest sports, entertainment and mega event complex in Hong Kong’s history, spanning over 28 hectares.

Formerly our Kai Tak Airport, this extensive piece of land opened Hong Kong to the world.

And now, Kai Tak Sports Park takes on an even more promising role. Today, we are witnesses to a state-of-the-art new stage for Hong Kong. And like this very Stadium’s retractable roof, the sky is the limit.

From snooker, the Hong Kong Rugby Sevens to football, the upcoming sports events are sure to delight all, on and off the pitch. And you can count on scores of concerts by top singers and bands from home and abroad, here to raise the roof of Kai Tak Stadium.

The magnificent, multi-purpose Kai Tak Sports Park is a grand stage offering the most enjoyable experience for sports and recreation, entertainment and a whole lot more. Our new home ground will raise every game, on every match!

Kai Tak Sports Park is made for you – Hong Kong and the world. Enjoy it all!

(Cantonese)

各位，啟德體育園將香港的國際大都會魅力，推上顛峰。我們熱烈歡迎市民和旅客親臨啟德體育園，感受世界一流的精彩體驗！多謝大家！

Hong Kong Customs to publicise Dealers in Precious Metals and Stones Regulatory Regime at jewellery exhibition

Hong Kong Customs will set up a booth at the Hong Kong International Diamond, Gem & Pearl Show, to be held at the AsiaWorld-Expo from tomorrow (March 2) for five consecutive days to publicise the Dealers in Precious Metals and Stones Regulatory Regime, and will provide on-site counter services to assist non-Hong Kong dealers in submitting cash transaction reports during their participation in the exhibition.

According to the Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorist Financing Ordinance (Cap. 615), the Regime came into effect on April 1, 2023. Any person who is seeking to carry on a business of dealing in precious metals and stones and engage in any transaction(s) (whether making or receiving a payment) with a total value at or above HK$120,000 in Hong Kong is required to register with Hong Kong Customs and fulfil his/her anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing statutory obligations as appropriate. All dealers in precious metals and stones must obtain a relevant registration before they can carry out any cash or non-cash transaction(s) with a total value at or above HK$120,000.

For non-Hong Kong dealers fulfilling the prescribed conditions (including those who come to Hong Kong to participate in exhibitions), although they are exempt from registration, they are required to submit to Hong Kong Customs a cash transaction report for any cash transaction(s) (whether making or receiving a payment) with a total value at or above HK$120,000 carried out in Hong Kong within one day after the transaction, or before the dealer or the person acting on behalf of the dealer leaves Hong Kong, whichever is earlier.

Non-Hong Kong dealers can make an online submission of a cash transaction report via the Regime’s webpage at www.drs.customs.gov.hk by accessing the Dealers in Precious Metals and Stones Registration System. They can also download the related form at www.drs.customs.gov.hk/download/drsform/CED418_Form%208_Cash%20transaction%20report.pdf and then submit the report in person at Hong Kong Customs’ booth in the exhibition.

The Hong Kong Customs’ booth (Booth 5-M04) is located at Hall 5 of AsiaWorld-Expo and will be open from 10.30am to 6.30pm on March 2, from 10am to 6.30pm between March 3 and 5, and from 10am to 5.30pm on March 6.

Dealers can visit the website (www.customs.gov.hk/en/service-enforcement-information/anti-money-laundering/supervision-of-dealers-in-precious-metals-and-ston/index.html) for more information about the Regime.