Speaking at the opening ceremony, Professor Jim Chi-yung, representative of HKU's Centennial Campus Project Group, said being a part of the Central and Western community, HKU has a keen concern on the health and well being of its residents.

Thus, HKU is devoted to ensure that its Centennial Campus construction works have little impact onto the access, via HKU campus, to the Lung Fu Shan Country Park, which is a popular leisure spot for community members in the District. The building of the new hiking trail linkage is a result of consultation with residents and hikers, demonstrating effective university-community partnership.,

Mr Chan Tak-chor, Chairman of the Central & Western District Council, said he hoped the continuous town-gown partnership would become an exemplary model for Hong Kong on the benefits of integrating the community's inputs from the very beginning of various projects.

Mr Chan Sheung-kuen, chairman of the Lung Fu Shan Country Park Morning Walkers' Association, said he was strongly confident that HKU's expertise in and determination towards natural conservation would benefit both the environment and the perpetual well being of the community.

The HKU Centennial Campus would be built on consciousness of environmental, ecological, sustainability and heritage issues, upon its completion, the Western District would have a green oasis in the city. The new "University District" would also provide the lots of public facilities, open spaces and more lifelong learning opportunities for community members.