Financial Secretary Paul Chan on Friday said the new Kai Tak Sports Park, which is slated to open in the first half of next year, would become an international spotlight that connects people, cultures and possibilities.

"Let us regard the Kai Tak Sports Park not just a collection of facilities but as a vibrant theatre that connects people, places, cultures and possibilities," Chan said at a summit on Hong Kong sports development and tourism.

"We envision this new landmark to become an international spotlight and a popular destination for events, offering unparalleled experiences," he added.

The finance chief said it was essential to ensure future events and programmes at the sports park would cater to the needs and interests of both local residents and international visitors.

The venue, Chan said, represents the most significant investment of the Hong Kong government in recent decades and the administration would actively invest in top-notch sports infrastructure.

The government would also continue to support hosting high-quality international major sports events given their significant contribution to the economy and social benefits to the community.

"When people flock to events, businesses will naturally follow," the secretary said.

Citing the Paris Olympics and Paralympics, Chan said those events demonstrated the power of sports in uniting people, a city and a country, to help generate positive energy in the community.

For Hong Kong, he said the SAR can do more to better enhance the opportunities presented by sports events, by increasing synergies with major international conferences and exhibitions, large-scale festivals and other tourism elements.