OpinionRational debate needed on Lantau reclamation for our future
- Its scale may be unprecedented but we must continuously seek out-of-the-box solutions to the daunting challenges facing us, writes Ken Chu
Itis often said that civilised, rational debate can help you discover and illuminate the truth. Unfortunately, emotions and misinformed judgments have clouded the public debate over the proposed reclamation project to build 1,700 hectares of artificial islands in the waters around Kau Yi Chau and Hei Ling Chau, the two small islands off the eastern shore of Lantau, Hong Kong’s largest island.
There have been many unfounded suspicions and unscientific arguments to challenge this islands proposal which the government suggests will house 1.1 million.
Indeed, there is nothing wrong evaluating this proposal – better known as the “Lantau Tomorrow Vision” – critically. After all, the government will be spending in the region of HK$500 billion, essentially taxpayers’ money.
Some critics contend the total cost could reach HK$1 trillion given a series of public infrastructure and railroad project cost overruns in recent years. They argue that government coffers could be completely drained.
However, these same critics ignore the fact that the government is financially sound with negligible public debt. With record reserves of HK$1.12 trillion, the government should be able to finance the project.
Artificial island a disaster in the making for Hong Kong
Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor already noted in her policy address that the project would happen in phases and there would be no question of draining the reserves in one go.