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Opinions of  community were ignored
Living Lamma wonders if Lam Sing-kwok, chief engineer/port works, Civil Engineering and Development Department, is working under false assumptions ('Residents of Lamma will be consulted', May 10).
He claims that the 'Yung Shue Wan development comprises two phases', yet fails to acknowledge that the department's plan for Phase 2 was rejected by the public in 2003.
This is in essence the same plan that has been slightly scaled down without any attempt at public engagement today.
Mr Lam argues that an 'added benefit' of the reclamation will be to reduce the travelling time from the 'town centre'. We wonder if he has ever been to Lamma or realises just how incongruous this statement is.
As for an emergency vehicle access to connect the clinic with the helipad, we already have it. It was built as part of Phase 1.
There is nothing 'conceptual' about the department's plan.
 The (straight) line on the map has been drawn without any consideration to existing features and shows quite clearly where concrete is going to be poured. It is 'obviously' not 'premature to say that the waterfront will all be covered up with concrete'. This approach to design is at the heart of the problem.
The department's plan ignores the comments put forward by professional planners and designers from the community in 2003. Why is this so? The department's website proudly states: 'We Engineer Hong Kong's Development.' Surely, the engineering should come after the design? Where are the architectural plans and landscape drawings that show clearly what the design will look like? Why do engineers dictate design in Hong Kong? If this is allowed to continue, we will no longer enjoy a diversity of city, village and countryside areas.  
Most worrying, Mr Lam ends his letter by stating that there is 'no intention of pressing ahead with the project without substantive support of the public ... on its design details'. The choice is, therefore, between spending HK$75 million (for the reclamation and the proposed cycle park, which the government insists on treating as two separate issues) on misguided 'conceptual proposals' that the department will not budge on, or nothing at all. This benefits no-one.
Please, Mr Lam, let's have these two projects go ahead as a beautifully designed and well-engineered harbourfront enhancement based on a holistic plan, which would really benefit the community. Is this too much to ask?
Laura Ruggeri, chairperson,  Living Lamma
Backing criticism of government
I have to admit that I never thought I'd say this, but  I agree with columnist and  National People's Congress Standing Committee member Lau Nai-keung ('We all have the rights to run our own lives', May 13). 
Mr Lau argues that democracy is best promoted by 'leaving people alone to decide what is best for themselves ... And, as the results of various 'colour revolutions' around the world indicate, it is the most effective way, too'. Whether he intends it or not, Mr Lau is attacking the widespread practice on the mainland whereby police do not leave people alone, instead harassing, arresting, imprisoning and 'disappearing' those who simply declare their desire for freedom. He is also criticising the Hong Kong government for not allowing the degree of democracy here that people, if left alone, would  embrace.
I do hope  that Beijing is listening to this Standing Committee member.
P. Harris, Lantau      
Room for improvement on mainland
It is ironic when students are told they must learn to appreciate the nation, given the tainted food scandals and the arrest of Ai Weiwei .   
 The proposed new school course will be a learning  opportunity for students who lack knowledge about their country  ('Pupils to be taught to appreciate China', May 6). 
However, some lawmakers are concerned that it could lead to  'political brainwashing'. It is good to help students have a sense of national identity, but not if it is overdone.   
Students should be taught to have critical thinking skills so they can judge for themselves whether or not a policy adopted by the central government is right or wrong.  The central government could set good examples by, for example, dealing with the tainted food problem, and with press freedom and human rights abuses.  
 If China cannot solve its problems, it could face a chaotic future, which could lead to rioting. The new course could be meaningless, unless Beijing introduces  improvements.  
Imelda Leung, North Point
Students may find course unhelpful
The policy of making national education compulsory has caused heated controversy since the proposal was released.  
I wonder if this is because many Hongkongers see themselves as locals first rather than Chinese people.
The new course  will offer pupils systematic learning objectives, focusing on developing positive values and attitudes to enhance their personal and national qualities. Some critics say it could open the door to political brainwashing.
Does it necessarily mean that having national education lessons can raise students' awareness of the nation? 
Can  having a flag-raising ceremony and singing the anthem build children's national identity?  Certainly, if students sing the national anthem every day they will soon learn all the words, but  they may not understand the underlying meaning.
 Also, the subject will overlap subjects that are already part of the syllabus, such as  Chinese history and liberal studies.  This could be time-wasting if they are learning the same things in different courses.  
 If the problems in society actually get worse, then the goals of this course may not be achieved. 
Any effort at brainwashing will prove ultimately futile.   
Lee Tong, Shun Lee
Cow problem in Sai Kung out of control
Last Tuesday, another cow died near Sai Kung due to a collision with a taxi. 
On  May 11, going to work, I saw a herd of eight cows on the road. When I wrote to  these columns last August, an Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department expert  replied the same month saying the cow situation was under control. I seriously doubt this. From first-hand evidence, the  population is seriously out of control.  
Perhaps the department expert  could get out of her comfortable office  and try to see the real situation in Sai Kung. The cow population is expanding fast. Many calves were born over the last nine months  and the roads are getting infested with these dangerously large animals.  
Alan Crawley, Sai Kung      
E-cigarettes should be monitored
Doctors are calling for electronic cigarettes to be regulated.
These nicotine-free devices were introduced to the Hong Kong market last month.
I think these e-cigarettes could lead some young people to start smoking. Youngsters love buying the latest trendy products and it has been found that most of the customers for e-cigarettes are non-smokers.
I am concerned that some young people, after trying them, will switch to real cigarettes and become addicted.
The government should monitor these products. It also needs to get the message across to young people that smoking is no longer socially acceptable behaviour. It should allocate more resources for education and organise talks and workshops so youngsters can fully understand the impact smoking would have on their lives.
Regina Chan Ka-yan, Wong Tai Sin       
Facebook does have some risks
 Facebook has become popular globally. 
It can benefit people as it enables them to chat with friends and it can help them to relax.  
However, it does have some drawbacks. Some people will misuse it and internet users should take care when communicating with strangers. They should think about what information they disclose online. Also, students must avoid becoming obsessed with Facebook. If they stay up late, it could affect their performance in school.   
Cecilia Yeung, Kwai Chung



Letters