THE government of China’s Hong Kong Special Administrative Region announced Monday that it has proposed to provide a one-off endowment of HK$10.64 billion (US$1.37 billion) to Ocean Park for its large-scale redevelopment plan and financial burden alleviation.

At a press conference held by the SAR government and Ocean Park, the park unveiled a development plan on its future positioning.

The plan calls for redevelopment of the park into seven new themed zones with more than 100 attractions. Those themed zones will be launched in phases from the year of 2023 to the year of 2027.

Once completed, the all new Ocean Park is expected to attract up to 7.5 million visitors in financial year 2027-28, create 11,100 jobs in financial year 2029-30 and generate HK$43.8 billion in the coming 10 years.

The park said that the prolonged social unrest in Hong Kong has taken a heavy toll on the park’s performance.

Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development of the HKSAR Government Edward Yau said the SAR government has also proposed to defer the park’s repayment period of two loans on park projects provided by the government.  

(Xinhua)