The Society for Protection of the Harbour thanks Commodore Joachim Isler, of the Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club, for his letter ("Yacht club's minor works on harbour serve public need", December 10) voicing his support for our work to protect the harbour.
Over the years, more than half of Hong Kong's world-famous and wonderful Victoria Harbour has been reclaimed for property development and various infrastructural purposes unconnected with the use and enjoyment of the harbour as a harbour.
The Protection of the Harbour Ordinance was therefore enacted to protect the harbour from excessive and unnecessary reclamation, but the ordinance was never intended to stop reclamation altogether.
However, what is left of the harbour is precious and should be used only for the essential needs of the community, such that future generations can still have a harbour to enjoy.
To achieve this goal and to uphold the law, over the past 18 years, our society has had to stand up to the British colonial government, the present Hong Kong SAR government, the Town Planning Board as well as real estate developers and other private interests.
We have shown neither fear nor favour, and we intend to continue to protect the harbour with the same approach.