Next week, the West Kowloon Cultural District Authority will launch stage three of the public engagement exercise. As chairman of the authority's consultation panel, I have witnessed the critical role that this process has played in bringing the project planners and the Hong Kong people together to shape our artistic and cultural future.

During stage one, the authority invited the people to share their aspirations with three world-class master planning teams. Stage two offered people the opportunity to evaluate the three conceptual plans that followed.

Now we are entering the most exciting phase of the process. From next week, the authority will showcase a design based on Foster and Partners' "City Park", the plan preferred by the public. This design will serve as the basis for launching construction next year, pending approval from the Town Planning Board.

Over the past few months, the authority has worked closely with Foster and Partners and project consultant Mott MacDonald to enhance the design, incorporating elements singled out by the public from the other two plans.
I fully understand that the cultural district has been a hot topic for more than a decade, and that there are some who believe that Hong Kong has had enough public consultation on the project. I am pleased to announce that we are nearing the finish line.
Progress on the cultural district has been steady and productive, demonstrating the commitment of the authority and Hong Kong people's desire for a bright cultural future. I have been particularly encouraged by the active participation of our young people.
There remains a great deal to be done. Such a colossal project will take years to complete. We still need to determine how to prioritise construction of the numerous facilities. We must also develop a world-class cultural programme that will appeal to residents and build our audience. To ensure the success of these efforts, the authority will continue to maintain an active dialogue with arts and cultural groups.
The West Kowloon Cultural District is an important infrastructure investment for Hong Kong. It will help position the city in the global arts and cultural arena, nurture future generations, and boost the economy. It is being built for everyone in Hong Kong - not just people who appreciate exhibitions and performances, but also those who simply wish to sit on the grass in the shade of a tree, enjoying a beautiful harbourfront sunset.
I urge everyone in Hong Kong to participate in stage three. Visit the exhibition, see the new design, and get a glimpse of how the project will transform arts and culture in Hong Kong.

Professor Stephen Cheung Yan-leung is chairman of the West Kowloon Cultural District Authority consultation panel