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Letter dated 31 May 2004 sent to the South China Morning Post

The Editor
South China Morning Post

31 May 2004

I refer to your reader's letter on "Reclaiming the truth" on 29 May 2004 regarding the reclamation proposal at Hei Ling Chau.

The Protection of the Harbour Ordinance, Cap. 531 applies to the Victoria Harbour ("the Harbour"), the geographical limits of which are clearly defined by Schedule 3 of the Interpretation and General Clauses Ordinance, Cap. 1. The definition reads -

"On the east - A straight line drawn from the westernmost extremity of Siu Chau Wan Point to the westernmost extremity of Ah Kung Ngam Point (sometimes known as Kung Am). On the west - a straight line drawn from the westernmost point of Island of Hong Kong to the westernmost point of Green Island, thence a straight line drawn from the westernmost point of Green Island to the south-easternmost point of Tsing Yi, thence along the eastern and northern coast lines of Tsing Yi to the westernmost extremity of Tsing Yi and thence a straight line drawn true north therefrom to the mainland."

You may wish to note that Hei Ling Chau is outside the above boundaries.

The Government fully recognizes the duty and importance to protect and preserve the Harbour and has committed to do so. We have announced repeatedly that other than the Central Reclamation Phase III and the proposed reclamation schemes in Wan Chai North and Southeast Kowloon, there will be no further reclamations inside the Harbour. Reviews are being undertaken in respect of these two remaining proposals to ensure any proposed reclamation will comply with the final and conclusive interpretation of the Protection of the Harbour Ordinance given by the Court of Final Appeal.

Christine Chow
Housing, Planning and Lands Bureau