History
There were plans to replace the old Kai Tak Airport after the Second World War. However due to financial and political reasons, the plan was abandoned in 1951 and the Hong Kong Government decided to expand the original airport instead.
With the growth of the economy of Hong Kong during the 1970s, the project was mentioned again. The Government earmarked Chek Lap Kok, just off the north coast of Lantau Island near Tung Chung, as the new airport's site. However, the plan was shelved in 1983 for economic reasons, as well as the question of Hong Kong's sovereignty and the impending signing of the Sino-British Joint Declaration.
The plan was announced on 11 October 1989 by the then Governor Wilson, and it was perceived to be part of the government's effort to reinstate confidence in Hong Kong after the Tiananmen Square protests of 1989. The public was initially surprised by the huge budget and there were concerns that it would drain much of the public revenue. The programme was completed with the opening of the new Hong Kong International Airport at Chek Lap Kok in July 1998.
Read more about this topic: Airport Core Programme
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