There can be several reasons for the phenomenon of soaring property prices in Hong Kong. One is the shortage of land amid mostly hilly terrain, which, the government says, has made widespread residential ­development difficult. Second, our stable economy and solid legal foundation make investors from all over the world keen to put their money into our real estate market.

Together, this pushes up ­demand and, given the limited supply, we have more people scrambling for a limited number of flats. This sends prices soaring.

But there is another factor pushing up home prices: opposing voices. While the government has limited space to build flats, whenever it plans to build or ­reclaim land for development, there are people who will voice their opposition.

It may be green organisations saying that building homes will affect the biodiversity or environment of the area concerned, or calling for the conservation of the natural environment.

Also, sometimes people who live there will not move out, citing their long attachment to the neighbourhood and the maintenance of strong social ties.

All of this opposition does nothing to boost supply, which is the main problem.

Chic So, Tsuen Wan

Giving in to Kim may embolden North Korea

I refer to the US postponing drills with South Korea to reduce tensions with the North (“Donald Trump agrees to delay South Korea military drills until after the Winter Olympics”, January 5).

For how many years has North Korea, with its repeated nuclear and ballistic missile tests, been a threat to world peace?

Now North Korea “looks like” it, too, wants peace. South Korea saw the Pyeongchang Winter Olympics as a chance to bring the Koreas closer and, to ensure the best environment for dialogue, presidents Moon Jae-in and Trump agreed to delay their ­annual military exercises.

The North’s charm offensive included Kim Jong-un sending his stylish sister Kim Yo-jong and a 200-strong cheerleading squad to Pyeongchang. But Trump’s backing down on the drills was a diplomatic medal for North Korea.

Who is to say it will not encourage Kim Jong-un to further ­expand his nuclear power? After such a show of weakness, it ­becomes more difficult for the US to prevent North Korea from ­improving its nuclear technology.

Chan Chak Chung, Po Lam

Rigid schooling won’t produce creative spark

Hong Kong, as an international city, competes with its peers around the world, whether in the economy or the arts.

But if the government continues with its tedious and stressful exam-oriented education system, our youngsters would never be nurtured to develop out-of-the-box, creative thinking.

While making learning “fun” could arguably boost creative thinking, many parents worry that such an approach would be counterproductive, as it may see children develop a more casual approach, and not treat learning as a serious matter.

However, one thing is certain. A rigid exam-oriented education system, with a focus on rote learning, is stunting creative and independent thought. If the range of materials they experience is so narrow, how can children come up with unusual ideas?

Many nations elsewhere in the world not only create a more joyful atmosphere for lessons, they also encourage students to be talented in other spheres, like music or sports. Hong Kong should follow this model. This does not mean academic results are not important, but that it should not be the top priority. The most creative person is not the one who gets the highest marks in the DSE.

Cathy Yuen Tsz Wai, Tseung Kwan O

Dirty beaches are the result of civic apathy

The report reminded me of the beaches in Hong Kong, which are more often than not strewn with plastic. I feel that our citizens are civic-sense-challenged.

Despite the presence of signs saying “Do not throw rubbish into the ocean”, some thoughtless beachgoers do so all the same. This blatant lack of civic virtues is a menace to our oceans and ­marine animals.

Eunice Cheng, Sha Tin