Letters | Put HKU’s innovation centre in Cyberport and spare green belt land

Readers discuss the rezoning plan for Pok Fu Lam, taking a realistic approach to tourism development, and how music can be used to unite rather than divide

Hong Kong society

Letters

Published: 11:30am, 25 May 2024

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I suggest the University of Hong Kong change the proposed location of its Global Innovation Centre to Cyberport. Cyberport was built 20 years ago with the mission of spearheading technology in Hong Kong, but it has not lived up to its promise.

It has hardly contributed any transformative technology, and in those same 20 years Shenzhen has risen to become a highly esteemed tech hub in southern China. Today, Cyberport is known more for its cluster of high-priced condominiums in an odd location which is not suitable to most businesses, and most top global technology companies – even Chinese tech giants such as Tencent and Baidu – have no presence there.

But the expansion of Cyberport presents an ideal opportunity for HKU. Cyberport 5 is being built on reclaimed land and will have more than enough space for the Global Innovation Centre’s needs. The work is expected to be complete by the end of 2025 at the soonest. HKU and Hong Kong as a whole do not need to wait another decade to catch up in cutting-edge technology when the centre can be the anchor of Cyberport 5 and breathe new life into the broader Cyberport project.

Establishing the Global Innovation Centre at Cyberport 5 will remove the need to ruin valuable green belt space in Pok Fu Lam. The centre’s current proposed site is 4.72 hectares, 87 per cent of which is green belt land which would require extensive development before any buildings can be erected there, including the removal of thousands of trees.

The rezoning application has been approved by the Town Planning Board, and the deadline for public feedback on the application lapsed this week. The plan now awaits a final decision by the Chief Executive in Council.

The need for sustainable development and environmental protection has become increasingly clear in recent years. For example, the increasing deforestation of the Amazon has drawn sharp criticism from activists and NGOs, calling into question our indifference to the sight of vast tracts of globally important rainforest burned to the ground.

Decades of successful economic modernisation led China to become the subject of criticism from environmentalists. These days, China is one of the world’s leading advocates for environmental protection. Many businesses now have carbon emissions goals as part of their key metrics.

No one, including HKU, should aspire to have their progress depend on deforestation. One show of hands by the government will be enough to send in waves of lumberjacks and bulldozers, creating an entirely avoidable calamity. The proposed site for the Global Innovation Centre is the wrong location. Our Earth has bled enough.

Anthony Hui, Pok Fu Lam

Hong Kong’s approach to tourism must be realistic

Earlier this month, Xia Baolong, the director of the Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office, urged the Hong Kong government to revitalise its tourism offerings and treat every corner of the city as a potential tourist spot.

While his call for reinvention and fresh policies is commendable, the stark reality is that not every corner of Hong Kong has the appeal necessary to attract tourists. Xia’s vision fails to acknowledge the limitations and challenges we face, such as the prevalence of subdivided flats and issues with waste management.

Some areas are simply unfit for tourism promotion. Subdivided flats, for instance, are substandard living spaces that exist as a result of our shortage of affordable housing. No one would think it appropriate to encourage tourists to visit such places.

Thus I agree with the experts quoted in your article, “‘Hong Kong should identify audience before fulfilling Beijing’s tourism calls’” (May 16), that the city must first be clear about its own positioning.

Rather than adopt a blanket approach, Hong Kong’s tourism development should focus on highlighting its genuinely attractive features. The city boasts a rich cultural heritage, stunning natural landscapes, world-class dining and a vibrant entertainment scene. By promoting and enhancing these aspects, Hong Kong can offer a unique and memorable experience to tourists.

Hong Kong can be a top-tier tourist destination by taking a realistic approach – focusing on its strengths while working to resolve its social and environmental issues. This will pave the way for sustainable and responsible tourism development. Only through a thoughtful strategy can Hong Kong unlock its true tourism potential while ensuring the well-being of its residents and the preservation of its unique character.

David Chan, Yau Ma Tei

Why not harness the power of music to unite?

Music and songs have influenced social and political movements throughout history. From the fight for freedom in India, to the Cultural Revolution in China, to the protests in Hong Kong a few years ago, the power of music has been harnessed for diverse ends over the centuries, across languages and cultures.

It would be wonderful if the Hong Kong government could leverage the unifying power of music, rather than rely on fear and coercion to govern. Organising patriotic songwriting and singing competitions in schools and between districts could be a fantastic way to inspire citizens to learn about and connect with the history, culture, and progress of Chinese civilisation.

Such initiatives could build a tremendous sense of community spirit and goodwill. Tapping into the emotive and communal aspects of music could be a much more positive and constructive approach than the heavy-handed tactics that have been sometimes employed.

Venkitaraman Krishnan, Kwun Tong

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