Chief Executive Carrie Lam today visited a sports ground, a nullah and a waterfront in Wong Chuk Hang and Ap Lei Chau to learn about the progress of the Invigorating Island South (IIS) initiative.

Mrs Lam started the visit at the Aberdeen Sports Ground, where she received a briefing on the various IIS projects.

One of the projects is the redevelopment and consolidation of the facilities in Wong Chuk Hang, such as the Aberdeen Sports and Wong Chuk Hang Recreation grounds, in order to optimise the use of existing land and provide more diverse recreational, sports and community services to the public.

This project applies a “single site, multiple use” approach jointly pursued by relevant government bureaus and departments.

Mrs Lam then toured the Staunton Creek Nullah and the neighbouring public space where she was briefed on the nullah's revitalisation and two place-making projects, namely improvements to the public space next to the Tai Wong Ye Temple and the Green Link in Wong Chuk Hang.

She was pleased to note that these two projects would invigorate the urban area while leveraging and accentuating Hong Kong’s unique cityscape with the bustling city's proximity to the tranquil countryside.

The Chief Executive's next stop was Ap Lei Chau for a walk along the waterfront near the Hung Shing Temple.

Mrs Lam learnt that the IIS Office has been working with different government departments to design various themed zones along the waterfronts on both sides of the Aberdeen Typhoon Shelter.

The office is also taking forward quick-win measures such as opening up the enclosed landscaped and grassed area adjoining Ap Lei Chau Park, to provide more leisure space for the public.

The Chief Executive announced the IIS initiative in her 2020 Policy Address, followed by the setting up of the IIS Office in February 2021 to interact and collaborate with stakeholders and plan, co-ordinate and implement various projects.

Mrs Lam was happy to note that the office formulated its first conceptual master plan in 2021 and introduced the IIS Conceptual Master Plan 2.0 in March this year, having taken into account the views of stakeholders and the public.

The aim is to develop Southern District, in particular Wong Chuk Hang, Aberdeen and Ap Lei Chau, into a district full of vibrancy, vigour and velocity for people to work, live, explore new ideas and have fun, she added.