Playing on a Chinese pun, a harbour protection group yesterday renamed the government's Harbourfront Enhancement Advisory Committee (kung kin) as the Harbourfront Filling Committee (kung tin).
But jokes aside, the Action Group on Protection of Victoria Harbour criticised the committee as being without any true clout. 'The committee lacking in public participation and statutory power is unable to protect the harbour,' said the action group's convenor, district councillor Kwok Ka-ki, referring to the committee's terms of reference.
Given the government's firm stance on the controversial Phase III of the Central reclamation project, Dr Kwok said the group was concerned the committee's only role would be to advise the government on uses for the reclaimed land rather than assessing whether it is desirable or needed.
He warned that business and professional representatives on the 29-member committee had vested interests in making sure the harbour reclamation went ahead, but he did not rule out the possibility of dialogue between the two groups.
Dr Kwok also argued against the notion that harbour reclamation was required for the public to be able to enjoy harbour views, saying that there was a lot of existing underutilised land from Western district to Causeway Bay. If the existing land was used properly, the public could enjoy harbour views without more reclamation, he said.
In opposition to the government's insistence on harbour reclamation, the action group said it was planning another protest later this month. Details will be publicised closer to the date.
