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LettersHong Kong should drop artificial islands plan, revitalise South Lantau instead

  • Readers discuss the plan to reclaim land in the waters off Lantau Island, and steps public libraries could take to promote the culture of reading

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A woman digs the beach in Shui Hau in South Lantau in November 2023. Photo: Dickson Lee
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I write in response to the letter, “Hong Kong must not sacrifice pink dolphins to infrastructure” (March 30). Your correspondent is correct to observe that the Lantau Tomorrow monstrosity will have a devastating impact on the marine ecosystem in the Pearl River Delta, particularly in the surrounds of Lantau Island which the famous pink dolphins called home long before there was any human activity in the area.

Instead of frittering away the government’s fiscal reserves on this grandiose and destructive construction project which will mainly enrich a select circle of construction firms, a better approach would be to make use of existing infrastructure and brownfield sites.

Insofar as Lantau is concerned, a far more cost-effective and expeditious option would be for increased public subsidies for ferry services connecting South Lantau to Central and Tsim Sha Tsui. This would enable the revitalisation of the Sea Ranch and similar projects along the South Lantau coast, avoiding the need for massive reclamation and providing Hongkongers with the opportunity to live in an eco-friendly, tranquil environment with good transport links to the main commercial centres.

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