Letters | Hong Kong must steer clear of UK’s green path

Readers discuss the energy mix behind Hong Kong’s electricity supply, explain why airmail services are not available to some destinations, and point to the achievements of the Kai Tak redevelopment

Hong Kong environmental issues

Letters

Published: 11:30am, 29 Nov, 2022

Why you can trust SCMP

The electricity price rises recently announced by CLP and HK Electric will undoubtedly impose hardship on society’s most vulnerable (“Hong Kong’s 2 power firms to raise tariffs by as much as 6.4 per cent from January”, November 22). However, it should be remembered that these price rises are rather modest compared to those in Australia and Europe.

In that regard, Hong Kong is fortunate to have its electricity supply generated from coal and nuclear sources. Were our city to jump aboard the economically suicidal, net-zero emissions climate bandwagon as suggested by your correspondents in the letter, “Make Hong Kong’s carbon neutral goal legally binding” (November 22), the inevitable result would be energy poverty for the masses.

The last thing Hong Kong needs is the green zealotry of the United Kingdom’s Climate Change Act. Hongkongers cannot afford such ideological indulgences.

Nicholas Tam, Sai Ying Pun

Reduced flight capacity has affected airmail services

I refer to the letter, “Why no airmail to some destinations?” ( November 23).

The coronavirus pandemic poses a great challenge to the global aviation industry as well as postal operators. Many of Hongkong Post’s airline contractors have substantially reduced their flights to various destinations and are only gradually scaling up their capacities lately, following the recent relaxation of the quarantine requirement for inbound travellers.

Hongkong Post has been working closely with the airline contractors to secure sufficient air capacity and has resumed airmail services to most of our top destinations. Given that flight capacity has not fully resumed, we have not yet been able to resume services to certain destinations despite our tireless efforts in seeking assistance from overseas postal administrations for transit arrangements.

For Ireland, we have resumed air letter and packet services as of November 25. As regards airmail services to Iceland, Argentina, Bolivia and Chile, there is at present no air service or air capacity available to Hongkong Post from our airline contractors, nor transit assistance offered by overseas postal administrations. San Marino and Vatican City both require transit assistance through Italy’s postal administration with whom we have been following up to seek resumption of services.

We fully understand members of the public expect an early full resumption of airmail services. We will continue to spare no effort in working towards this as soon as the situation permits.

Sammy Cheng, senior manager (public relations), Hongkong Post

Kai Tak redevelopment is far from ‘laughable’

I refer to the column, “How Hong Kong’s ‘laughable’ Kai Tak airport redevelopment project is being shown up by Greece” ( November 16). Describing the redevelopment of the former as “laughable” is wrong.

Overall redevelopment – including Kai Tak Sports Park – appears to be on track for completion and operation, despite the global effects of the pandemic.

The Cruise Terminal is operational, and public housing and private apartment buildings are already standing and occupied. A district-wide supply of chilled water contributes to reducing the area’s carbon footprint.

The Sports Park, a project I have some involvement in, will feature a 50,000-seat stadium with a retractable roof as well as green features such as solar panels. It will be ready by 2025, the year of China’s National Games.

Two other major sports facilities for public use will be available in the park, and also a substantial area set aside for families, including activities for children. Kai Tak airport is also suitably remembered.

A cross-Kowloon road tunnel enhances Kai Tak’s major road links, including cross-harbour routes and those with Chep Lap Kok airport. Also, a passenger rail connection to the rest of the Greater Bay Area and the mainland is already in place.

For anyone interested, a government website gives regular updates on the sports park, which cannot be interpreted as anything but a tribute to all those involved.

James Blake, Aberdeen