Lessons from landfills

The Public Works Subcommittee (PWS) of the Legislative Council's Finance Committee on Tuesday approved the government's plans to expand the Ta Kwu Ling and Tuen Mun landfills in the New Territories. However, both projects still need to be scrutinized by the Finance Committee for the required funding. The Tuen Mun District Council was to have discussed the issue on Tuesday, but called off the meeting after some councilors staged a boycott in protest against the PWS' approval.

Fierce opposition by lawmakers and activists against the landfill expansion plans serves to remind government departments that they must improve communication with the districts and neighborhoods concerned on the implementation of environmental protection measures as well as compensation in order to reduce residents' concerns. The Legislative Council and the district councils concerned are obliged to serve the interests of Hong Kong society as a whole by supporting the landfill extension plans as best they can.

The government had to withdraw a separate funding request for the Tseung Kwan O landfill extension plan after it failed to secure enough support from lawmakers, making waste disposal an even more urgent issue than it already is.

Despite the PWS' approval for the Ta Kwu Ling and Tuen Mun projects, there's no guarantee they will get past the Finance Committee next Friday, given the strong opposition from the districts' residents and district councilors as well as their legislative representatives. If these two meet the same fate as the Tseung Kwan O project, Hong Kong will have to live with overflowing landfills in a few years' time as they are expected to saturate by 2018.

Residents' resistance to such facilities as landfills and incinerators on health and environmental grounds is nothing new. The government should have the foresight to allay their concerns with technical measures to reduce spilling during transportation, foul smell and noise at landfills as well as financial compensation.

Such moves can help ease fears. But, the ultimate solution lies in waste reduction at its source, which requires efforts by all members of the community as well as the government. There are quite a few success stories in developed countries in this regard and Hong Kong has no excuse for not learning from them.

This is an excerpted translation of a Wen Wei Po editorial published on July 3.

Challenges in diversity

Hong Kong marked the 16th anniversary of the handover on July 1, with residents choosing either to enjoy the celebrations or joining the mass procession to voice various demands. This fully demonstrates the diverse and free characteristics of Hong Kong society. It's also the fundamental reality every administrator faces.

The HKSAR government has said it respects the citizens' rights to protest and express opinions legally, and will sincerely listen to their demands. The current-term HKSAR government has been fending off attacks and ambushes even before it took office a year ago. It's absolutely right for the government to respect popular opinion otherwise it will be met with even more obstacles in the years to come. That said, the diversity in Hong Kong society is bound to pose challenges to the government, which must assess various popular demands and guide the public in agreeing on ways to serve the common interests of all communities. This is the only way to make pragmatic policies that will boost the economy, improve people's well-being and keep Hong Kong's competitiveness.

The various political, economic and cultural preferences, aspirations and demands prove that Hong Kong residents still enjoy freedom and individual rights under "One Country, Two Systems". On the other hand, they also promise more chances for social division, contradiction and even conflicts, which will adversely affect development for sure. We have already seen the government being forced to delay its Northeast New Territories development plans due to melodramatic resistance by some people even though most Hong Kong residents back the plan and everybody wants to be a homeowner. And everybody agrees that Hong Kong needs more waste disposal facilities, but just "not near where I live".

The government must listen attentively to popular demand, but never follow anyone blindly or expect everyone to applaud. The last thing it should do is always give in or give up when different views are forthcoming. Instead, it should identify the "greatest common divisor" and stick to it no matter what, especially when the overall interests of Hong Kong society are at stake.

This is an excerpted translation of a Hong Kong Commercial Daily editorial published on July 2.

(HK Edition 07/04/2013 page9)