Fish-lovers have declared themselves unimpressed by Chief Executive Donald Tsang Yam-kuen's plans for a $300,000 fish pond at Government House.
That much money would cover the expenses of the average pet-fish enthusiast for 250 years. For one fan, a Mr Yuen, 54, who spends about $100 a month on breeding fish, it is simply too much. 'Common people would not spend so much money on their pets, and there's no need for Tsang Yam-kuen to build a fish pond,' he declared.
Of course, money is not a worry for Mr Tsang - the taxpayer will be picking up the bill for the pond that will house his beloved koi carp, which themselves can cost thousands of dollars each. Mr Yuen, meanwhile, had just bought three gold angelfish for $20 in Tung Choi Street, Mongkok, also known as Goldfish Street.
Another fan, Ms Kwong, 50, said the fish tank in her flat cost about $300. She thought only a few rich people would be able spend $300,000 on a fish pond. 'That's too expensive for most people,' she said.
In Aqua World, the biggest fish shop in Tung Choi Street, tanks range from $20 to $90,000.
Senior salesman Yee Wai-leuk said $300,000 was a small sum for private enthusiasts, some of whom had been known to spend $600,000 on a single fish. 'But with taxpayers paying the bill, that's a different matter,' he said.