Kai Tak Sports Park opens to fanfare

Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu hailed the opening of the largest sports and cultural venue, Kai Tak Sports Park, on Saturday, calling it a symbol of the city's progress and ambition.

"A century ago, this area was the site of Hong Kong's first successful test flight of a biplane, which ultimately led to the establishment of Kai Tak Airport," Lee said at the ceremony marking the opening of the HK$32-billion ($4.1 billion) facility, referring to the former airport that closed in 1998. "Today, that same location has been turned into Kai Tak Sports Park, creating a new hub for sports, culture and the arts, and propelling the city to new and greater heights again."

The 28-hectare park features the region's largest retractable roof and a versatile lawn system, allowing it to accommodate large-scale events under various weather conditions.