Official call: Chief Secretary Henry Tang visits China Consul-General in New York Peng Keyu.

Chief Secretary Henry Tang says the Government is determined to make Hong Kong Asia's cultural hub, and the West Kowloon Cultural District will have enormous potential to become the cultural focus for the Pearl River Delta.

Mr Tang was today addressing a reception in New York City organised by the Hong Kong Economic & Trade Office there and the Hong Kong Tourism Board. He said the West Kowloon project will transform Victoria Harbour into "Asia's West End" with a Broadway skyline making Hong Kong the cultural hub of Asia.

"People who have visited the two cities, New York and Hong Kong, often draw a number of comparisons. They are both cities that never sleep. We each have shimmering skyscrapers, great shopping, wonderful food and a spectacular harbour. We are both international business and financial centres and melting pots for culture."

Mr Tang said an upfront endowment of US$2.8 billion has been provided for the project, and the first phase is scheduled to open in 2014-15.

With 7 million residents, 30 million annual visitors, and being a short hop from the thriving Pearl River Delta region, which is home to more than 50 million people, the project has enormous potential, he said.

"The cultural district is a 40-hectare site along our spectacular Victoria Harbour and it is about to undergo a dramatic transformation. Plans are well under way for no less than 15 arts facilities on the site including concert halls, theatres, a contemporary arts museum and a mega performance venue.

"We will select a number of iconic architectural designs and incorporate piazzas for people to relax and enjoy the atmosphere. Our aim is to create a modern and high-quality venue to bring arts to the people and people to the arts. World-renowned architects are assisting us in drawing up the development plan for the project."

Mr Tang also visited New York's Museum of Modern Art and the Lincoln Centre, and met China Consul-General Peng Keyu. He will visit China's Permanent Representative to the United Nations Zhang Yesui before returning to Hong Kong tomorrow.