The goal, she said in Wednesday’s address, was to “develop the Southern district into a place full of vibrancy, vigour and velocity”, where people could “work, live, enjoy creativity, leisure and have fun”.

Aberdeen floating restaurant gets starring role in southern Hong Kong tourism plan

However, Lam acknowledged on Thursday that she had not sought the views of the Southern District councillors on the high-profile project in their backyard, citing the need for secrecy surrounding her policy initiatives.

“Many of my own colleagues did not hear about it too, due to the confidential nature of the project,” she said.

“We are not kick-starting it tomorrow anyway. There is no need to accuse me of overpowering them with pressure.”

The city leader said a dedicated team, drawing on experience gained from the “organic development” of the so-called Energising Kowloon East initiative, would consult councillors and other stakeholders on crucial issues to be resolved, including the feasibility of introducing new marine travel routes.

“How can we make the good use of the waters to facilitate travelling to the district? Can we have more piers and green ferries along the waterfront near Deep Bay?” she said.

Lam also touched on the revitalisation plan for the iconic Jumbo Floating Restaurant, a historic landmark in Aberdeen that shut its doors amid the Covid-19 pandemic, and which will be handed over to Ocean Park to be turned into a heritage and tourism attraction. Lam said she had tasked those responsible with keeping the venue open to the public at affordable prices once the project is complete.

Secretary for Development Michael Wong Wai-lun said an Invigorating Island South office would be set up to study and implement a series of measures in conjunction with the relevant government bodies.

“We hope to inject vigour and vitality into the Southern district with a focus on its cultural and arts activities,” he said.

“We will enhance key leisure facilities including the typhoon shelter and promenade in Aberdeen and Ap Lei Chau Main Street, so the public could experience the culture of a fishing village and enjoy eco-tourism in the area.”

He said the redevelopment of old industrial buildings in Wong Chuk Hang would be expedited, while some sites would be converted into multipurpose facilities.

Hong Kong policy address ‘wasn’t exactly a confidence booster’

Southern district councillor Kevin Lam Ho-por said many of ideas under the Invigorating Island South initiatives had in fact originally been put forward by his fellow councillors and discussed in meetings for some time.

“From an economic perspective, the initiative is a good thing because it serves to develop the Southern district and create jobs. But whether it could be a success depends on how the government will execute the plan,” he said.

He also warned the authorities against relying on mainland tourists for the district’s development, pointing to the example of Ocean Park, whose revenues cratered when mainland tourists began drying up during last year’s unrest.

“From the painful lesson of Ocean Park, the Southern district should appeal to local people and high-value foreign travellers. If the district is flooded with mainland solo tourists, it would be counterproductive for the region’s development,” he said.

Another Southern district councillor, Kyle Chan Hin-chung, said he was concerned about the lack of transport facilities to cope with any increase in visitors to the area under the new plan.

“The government needs to give us more details about how to cope with the rapid rise in transport demand, as well as the growing congestion problems, as there will be more people coming to visit the Southern district,” he said.