Hong Kong has no plans to develop country parks, says environment chief
Environment secretary Wong Kam-sing said on Monday Hong Kong had no plans to build flats on land in country parks despite development secretary Paul Chan Mo-po’s floating of the idea in his blog on Sunday.
Chan’s remarks, which have stirred a heated debate in the community, represent a radical departure from a pledge made by Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying when he was running for election.
There are certain principles we have to respect with country parks [as] we have well-established laws to protect them
Wong, when asked about Chan’s suggestions, said the government had no plans to change its policy on country parks and considered it very important to protect them.
“There are certain principles we have to respect with country parks [as] we have well-established laws to protect them,” Wong said.
He said the development secretary was only citing ideas put forward by members of the community while discussing land and housing issues.
“[These] included innovative ideas for land use in country parks,” Wong said, adding the government was open-minded to different ideas.
