I am not quite clear why he thinks that makes a difference. Are people who own flats in older buildings somehow not really property owners, or less deserving? Are all old flats run-down?

If the rule applied to buildings where redevelopment was necessary for the public good, I can see why he might say the law should interfere in the disposal of private property rights. But that is not the case under this law.

All that is happening is that developers get the right to more easily expropriate the homes that others have saved to buy, whether or not there is a reasonable basis for development.

I say expropriate because real-life studies show the prices offered for redevelopment fall when only 80 per cent agreement is needed to take away the homes of the remaining 20 per cent.

Why should the developers be favoured in this way?

His argument seems to be that if there is a development profit to be made, or an old building is involved, then that must mean the development is for the public good.

There would not be much left of Rome, London or Paris, if his ideas were applied elsewhere. The property-owning middle class would support a repeal of this law, and the Democratic and Civic parties should join Regina Ip Lau Suk-yee in attacking it, and promise it will be repealed.

Paul Serfaty, Mid-Levels

Be patient for freedoms

I refer to the letter by H. Yiu ('No political progress', November 2) about the problems that exist on the mainland. His demand for a better political system is admirable.

It is understandable that Hongkongers, while enjoying freedom, want to share our happiness with mainlanders. But the situation there is complicated.

The harsh restrictions imposed on freedom of speech are not only to ensure confidence in the Chinese Communist Party's own rule and ideology, but also to maintain social stability and harmony.

Allowing freedom of speech can lead to more freedoms, including freedom of the press, and of protest. These freedoms seem to be a key to striving for a better life in a fully developed country. Sadly, some increasingly radical mainlanders are poorly educated. We can have an arbitrary use of freedom, leading to more social problems.

The Diaoyu Islands issue is a good example. If no stringent controls are laid down, we could see more arguments between Chinese fishing vessels and Japanese patrol boats.

The central government is eager for China to become the world's greatest power with an impressive political system. But it is waiting until most of its citizens are well educated and understand their civic responsibilities.

I urge Hongkongers to be patient.

Alan So, Sham Shui Po

No respect for petty rivalries

Memo to China and Japan: Grow up. If you want to play any useful part in this century, stop your petty political posturing and start working towards becoming global citizens.

To those clowns marching in the streets and burning flags: You want to protest? Protest about the endemic corruption in your political and corporate systems. Protest about the massive wealth gaps and inequalities of opportunities in your countries.

You want to get active? Work against the massive carbon footprint caused by mindless consumerism and inefficient and profligate energy use, or the slaughter to extinction of more and more species in the name of fashion, superstition or status.

When your cities are choked by cars and pollution has poisoned your children, your atavistic 'national pride' will be shown up for what it is worth - absolutely nothing. You want respect? Aim to be a positive global force for good and leave behind the childish mindset and rivalries of last century.

Schoolyard bullies may often win petty victories but they never win respect.

Kerry Hasell, Tai Hang

RTHK board's right to monitor

Call the RTHK advisory board a 'backstage ruler' if the critics so wish ('Editorial independence remains, says RTHK's chief adviser', November 1), but surely as a government department, RTHK also has to be monitored.

So, who monitors RTHK? As well as members of the public, it is the advisory board. Members of the board are absolutely right that RTHK 'should be a platform to serve and reflect views from all sectors of society'.

But one of the characters of the Headliner programme used to call on the public to take to the streets in the run-up to the July 1, 2003, mass rally. That is more than just 'poking fun' at the government and reflecting views of all sectors.

Peter Lok, Chai Wan

Adverts abet slim obsession

When I walk around MTR stations, I see so many slimming adverts that emphasise the message that to be slim is to be beautiful.

I think that most Hong Kong actresses and models are too thin. Many young girls have been influenced by this trend and they become obsessed with dieting. They are afraid others will make fun of their weight.

I do not like to see slimming trends being promoted in this way in Hong Kong.

Having a slim figure should not be equated with being beautiful.

The important message to get across to teenagers is that you can have a good figure and a better lifestyle with a healthy diet.

Eunis Chan Pui-yi, Diamond Hill

Ire for gossip, not surrogacy

The comments from vicar-general of the Catholic diocese of Hong Kong, Father Michael Yeung Ming-cheung, and Choi Chi-sum, general secretary of the Christian concern group, the Society for Truth and Light ('Use of surrogacy draws Catholic rebuke', October 29), show how out of touch some religious groups are with reality.

Surrogacy is a normal, well-respected form of assisted reproduction found and used all over the world; there is nothing 'unscrupulous' about it.

In Hong Kong, surrogacy is legal under the Parent and Child Ordinance. The Human Reproductive Technology Ordinance, which prohibits commercial surrogacy agreements even outside Hong Kong, is likely inconsistent with the right to raise a family freely, found in Article 37 of the Basic Law.

Father Yeung also spoke of his concern about the children of Henderson Land Development vice-chairman Peter Lee Ka-kit suffering as a result of having no mother. It is not necessary to have a mother; it is only necessary to have a loving parent with sufficient resources.

Mr Choi said that Mr Lee's actions showed disrespect for the rights of the children because they would face stress from gossip in society due to the way they were conceived. I found this comment outrageous.

The blame should not be placed on Mr Lee or his children. It should fall squarely on the backward so-called Christian values that lead to such gossip.

Mr Lee wants to live his private life privately so why don't we let him?

William Yip, Sheung Wan

Hospital key to Chinese service

I refer to the report ('Chinese medicine hospital planned', October 28). Baptist University plans to build a Chinese medicine teaching hospital providing the first inpatient treatment in this field.

Under the plan, the hospital will specialise in clinical research and Chinese medicine services, including hospice care. A dual approach combining Chinese and Western medicine will be adopted.

I welcome this proposal.

More Hong Kong citizens are seeking Chinese medicine services. However, some of the practitioners practise out of their own homes. There can be no assurance of the quality of the services provided.

At a Chinese medicine hospital there will be good oversight and a quality assurance system.

Until now, students had to cross the border to receive their clinical training. Having this institution means they can continue their studies in the SAR.

Chinese medicine is one of the greatest cultural treasures of the nation. Hong Kong has a responsibility to help with the spread of this form of medicine.

Simon Ko Chin-hung, Tsuen Wan

A tale of two transport ideas

The Jockey Club deserves major applause for the recent adoption of its 100-seat hybrid solar/diesel ferries from Sai Kung pier to its golf course.

The old ferries spewed black smoke onto those enjoying a weekend outing.

A little brochure at the ticket booth highlights the cost and social benefits of the change. Unfortunately, if you turn around 180 degrees from the booth towards the Sai Kung bus terminus, there are lines of ancient, smoky KMB buses still stuck in the 1980s.

It's really a tale of two sharply contrasting approaches to public transport.

One highly progressive, socially responsible and leading by example and one not. It's clearly time the government took some tough decisions.

Patrick Gilbert, Lam Tin