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SCMP Reporter

Q What are your fondest memories of Victoria Harbour?

Years ago, when I first came to Hong Kong at the age of four, my mum used to take me to Tsim Sha Tsui to visit various museums there. And every time after a visit, we would have a walk along the harbour to take photographs, enjoy an ice cream or just fool around, watching people fish with simple gear.

At that time, as I had never seen such a beautiful scene on the mainland, I was astounded by the awesome view.

And for the first Mid-Autumn Festival we spent in Hong Kong, it was Victoria Harbour that accompanied us again.

I lay on the open area outside the Hong Kong Cultural Centre with my parents, appreciating the full, silvery shining moon with the breeze from the sea, ate delicious mooncakes and played with lanterns with other children.

Thank you, Victoria Harbour, for your silent contribution to Hong Kong and also to every Hongkonger's life.

Bridgit Lee Siu-yin, Fanling

I first heard of this fantastic and wonderful harbour when I was having my lessons in kindergarten. My teacher told me it was one of the most famous harbours in the world.

When I went home, I urged my parents to take me to have a look. I had my first journey on a ferry there.

It was so exciting and unforgettable. After that, I always asked my parents to take me there when they were free.

When I was 10, I went to Tsim Sha Tsui to watch the fireworks. I met Victoria Harbour again.

It was more beautiful than ever, with so many buildings with lights of different colours surrounding it. Its beauty was amazing and I took lots of photos.

Due to a heavy workload, I seldom went there after I grew up. I paid attention to it again only when I heard that the government was filling in a large part of it. The news breaks my heart. The government has no right to take away the source of our memories.

All citizens should voice their opinions and make their best effort to protect the beautiful harbour.

Joyce Chan Chung-yan, Tsuen Wan

I came to Hong Kong to work for a large firm in April 1994. Although I had been here before on short visits, it's different when you go to a place and you know you'll be away from home indefinitely. You still get homesick.

During my first two weeks, I was extremely homesick and Victoria Harbour gave me my soft landing into Hong Kong.

At that time I stayed in a room at the Harbour View International House in Wan Chai, which had a beautiful view of the harbour.

That panoramic view somehow eased my homesickness until I had fully adjusted to Hong Kong.

When my wife came to Hong Kong to live with me several months later, I wanted to give her a soft landing also, so we stayed in the same hotel during her first week here. She loved Victoria Harbour also.

At that time, they had just begun piling work on where the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre now stands, which was just below my hotel window.

I remember watching the construction crew at work and wondering what they were building.

Sad to say that beautiful view no longer exists. It has been covered up by the convention centre.

B.S. Cruz, Aberdeen

When I was still a child in the 1980s, Hong Kong was flourishing in nearly all respects: the property market, stock market, tourist industries, political systems - the list goes on.

Our family favoured crossing the harbour by taking the Star Ferry. During that short journey on the little ferry, we could watch the beautiful scenery, with the soft breeze blowing from both sides of Victoria Harbour.

As more and more reclamation took place, the harbour was no longer a wide and clean place for us to be proud of.

When we take the ferry nowadays, the waves are raging beside and the ferry cannot travel smoothly across the harbour. This greatly affects the impression tourists have of Hong Kong, as nearly all of them take the ferry.

I love walking along the harbour whenever I have worries or have to make an important decision.  If the reclamation continues, the harbour will no longer be a place for relaxation and contemplation.

That would be a great loss.

Claudia Wong, Aberdeen

I have lived in Hong Kong for more than 20 years. Ever since I was a child, I have crossed the harbour all the time using the Star Ferry. Each time, I feel very comfortable, enjoying the fantastic view and fresh air.

I always see a lot of boats, ferries and cargo ships. At night, the harbour shows how cosmopolitan the city has become.

Every time I walk near City Hall, the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre and Salisbury Road, I see the many beautiful lights reflected in the harbour, and the views are always fascinating.

For decades, there has been a fireworks show over the harbour on the second day of the Lunar New Year.

All these points have given me so many unforgettable memories. It also helps to explain why Hong Kong is able to attract tourists.

I recently heard that the government is planning to increase its reclamation of the harbour, prompting organisations to protest against the government's decision and try to protect this harbour.

I feel very disappointed with the government for making this decision. If it really resumes the reclamation, so many things will be lost and Hong Kong's international image will be badly damaged.

The harbour is important to Hong Kong because it represents everything that the city stands for. It is not merely a tourist attraction.

It really is the Pearl of the Orient. I think it should not be destroyed.

Vincent Sun, North Point



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