MR CHAN KIN-POR (in Cantonese): President, the National People’s Congress passed the decision on improving the electoral system of Hong Kong at its meeting recently. Hong Kong’s political problems can finally be resolved. But for Hong Kong to achieve social stability and prosperity for its people, many deep-rooted problems remain to be solved, and among them, housing supply definitely topped the list of such deep-rooted problems.
Mr Paul TSE has proposed the motion on “Examining the amendment of the Protection of the Harbour Ordinance (“the Ordinance”) and implementing the Kwun Tong Typhoon Shelter reclamation works”. Indeed, this motion is very timely. We can study the Kwun Tong Typhoon Shelter reclamation project and even discuss the associated land supply issue, with a view to arousing awareness in society and forging consensus. Frankly speaking, Hong Kong is already knee-deep in the housing problem. And over the past 10 years or so, the Legislative Council, amidst the political manoeuvre of “mutual destruction”, major livelihood issues had absolutely no chance to be resolved. Today, we dispel the chaos and restore the order. The Legislative Council needs to get back on the right track to make all-out and serious efforts to resolve livelihood issues.
I support the motion proposed by Mr Paul TSE today. I believe the Ordinance is necessary but it is not set in stone. As the Kwun Tong Typhoon Shelter is situated on the inner side of the runway of the former airport, implementation of reclamation works there will not affect the appearance of the Victoria Harbour. And with a shallow seabed, the project will not cost too much. Therefore, there is no reason to forbid it. As a matter of fact, according to the study by a relevant organization, the Kwun Tong Typhoon Shelter reclamation project can provide 85 hectares of land for the construction of 70 000 housing units. Also, the construction period is very short and there will not be any significant impact on the water quality, so the merits of reclamation outweigh the demerits.
Moreover, the increased land supply can be used for the construction of public housing, Home Ownership Scheme (“HOS”) flats and flats under the Starter Homes for Hong Kong Residents (“SH”) programme to help people waitlisted for public housing to attain home ownership as soon as possible and enable young people to purchase their own homes. In addition, I also agree that while reclamation projects are important, the needs of maritime operators must also be taken into consideration at the same time. Thus, it is necessary to identify another site for the construction of a new typhoon shelter to provide sufficient berthing spaces to protect the safety of maritime operators. I understand that such a project will entail considerable difficulties but if the Government is determined to resolve the deep-rooted problems of Hong Kong, it should devote its strength and energy to seriously examine whether it is feasible and, if so, it should be done as soon as possible.
To solve the housing problem in Hong Kong in the long run, we still have to rely on the Lantau Tomorrow Vision and the optimization and good use of the existing land sites. Previously, the opposition camp argued that the Lantau Tomorrow Vision would result in an oversupply of land. They were just speaking gibberish. Even if the Kwun Tong Typhoon Shelter reclamation project is adopted, we still need the Lantau Tomorrow Vision because, if Hong Kong is to maintain its position as an international metropolis, there must be land for housing and development, otherwise Hong Kong’s development will be constrained. In fact, 20 years ago, the Government suspended land creation projects due to the fall in property prices, and has not resumed them ever since, resulting in the immeasurable repercussions being suffered today. It proves that land creation projects must be undertaken on an ongoing basis. Moreover, even if the supply of land will be “eased off”, we should allow people to enjoy a bigger living space so that they can have a better life. The cramped living spaces in Hong Kong have long come under criticism. Now, many people are living in subdivided units or nano flats, where a family has to live in a unit of 100 or 200 sq ft. Indeed, it is absolutely not healthy.
President, I suggested many years ago that Hong Kong should follow Singapore’s housing policy, i.e. promoting the development of public housing, so that the majority of citizens can rent or purchase public housing. Certainly, Hong Kong has its own circumstances and it is impossible to make an exact copy. For example, private housing has to be continuously increased. That said, it is a viable model to supply more public housing in order to satisfy people’s needs―particularly young people’s need for home ownership. Despite not having officially stated that the example of Singapore will be followed, the Government has taken numerous measures in recent years, including allocating 70% of land for public housing, introducing the Green Form Subsidised Home Ownership Scheme, continuing to promote the construction of HOS flats and SH projects, which precisely reflect that the Government is pursing such a direction. I hope the Government can supply sufficient land to support the gradual implementation of the housing policy, so that in the near future, the people of Hong Kong can live in contentment and everyone has a home to live in. In a way, the disparity between the rich and the poor can be partially addressed. Thank you, President.