Do Hong Kong policymakers want to hear what residents think?
Shrinking number of opportunities to express views leaves observers asking if government still values input.
As far as Greenpeace Hong Kong is concerned, the government did not go far enough to gather views on the ambitious Kau Yi Chau artificial island plan to house up to 550,000 people.
Better known as the Lantau Tomorrow Vision project, it is estimated to cost at least HK$580 billion (US$7.4 billion) and span 1,000 hectares (2,471 acres).
“This is the largest infrastructure project ever. It will take decades to build, and the impact will span generations,” said Chan Hall-sion, Greenpeace Hong Kong’s senior campaigner. “But instead of reaching out for views more aggressively, they did the opposite.”