LettersHong Kong must tread carefully to avoid artificial islands project turning into white elephant

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The controversy surrounding the viability of the government’s proposal for artificial islands is based on real concerns over the financial burden and environmental impact of the project. Instead of allaying the doubts raised by specialists in the field through meaningful analysis, the government seems to be trying to persuade the community through a public advertisement campaign.

The Hong Kong government does not have a good track record of completing on time and within budget mega infrastructural projects that have brought economic benefits to the city. In fact, a few notable ones, such as the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge and the Kai Tak Cruise Terminal, can be termed white elephants that wasted precious public resources which could have otherwise been used for much needed public services.