Reclamation Tech To Stop Subsidence: Michael Wong

The Development Secretary Michael Wong says subsidence will not be a problem for flats built on reclaimed land in waters east of Lantau.

Speaking on a radio programme, he said getting the first flats ready for sale in 13 years was an aggressive target but advancements in reclamation technology meant it was possible.

The government wants to reclaim land around Kau Yi Chau for housing, as part of the Chief Executive Carrie Lam's Lantau Tomorrow Vision project.

Wong also said revenue from land sales will ensure that the HK$624 billion plan will break even, despite only 30 percent of the residential land being earmarked for private housing.

He said future land revenue from the reclaimed land was based on the sale of 45,000 private residential units. He said the remaining 70 percent would be used for public housing.

On a separate matter, Wong said the government had no plans to develop a high-speed rail link from Qianhai in Shenzhen to the reclaimed land off Lantau.

Talk of a second high-speed link began after it appeared on a map at the Shenzhen Qianhai Exhibition Centre, raising questions about whether it had already become part of the Lantau project without the public's knowledge.

Wong said the SAR government had neither discussed such a plan with Shenzhen, nor had it accepted any proposal. But he said he would respect any idea from a neighbour.