Latest news with #SanTinTechnopole
South China Morning Post
15-05-2025
- South China Morning Post
Hong Kong social worker who mounted judicial challenge charged with welfare fraud
A Hong Kong social worker who earlier launched a judicial challenge against the government's approval of an environmental study of the San Tin Technopole project has been charged with defrauding social welfare authorities to obtain more than HK$16,000 (US$2,049) in old age allowance. Advertisement Eddie Tse Sai-kit, 67, was accused of failing to declare that his income and net assets had exceeded the authorities' limit for making an application for old age living allowance. He allegedly obtained monthly aid of HK$4,195 four times from the Social Welfare Department between last June and January this year. Tse last year sought to overturn the decision of authorities to approve an environmental impact report on San Tin Technopole, saying it breached the Environmental Impact Assessment Ordinance and lacked public consultation. But he withdrew the legal challenge earlier this year after he became a target of 'widespread harassment and intimidation', with his family suffering from mail threats and online doxxing. He was also refused legal aid to bring the legal action forward, despite the presiding judge agreeing that the case was of great public interest Advertisement
South China Morning Post
11-04-2025
- Politics
- South China Morning Post
Hong Kong court dismisses challenge over tech hub project after activist withdraws bid
A Hong Kong court has thrown out a judicial challenge against the government's approval of an environmental study of the San Tin Technopole project, after dismissing the applicant's request to have another activist take over his case. Advertisement The High Court on Friday allowed social worker Eddie Tse Sai-kit to withdraw the challenge, but found insufficient basis for a former district councillor to carry on with the proceedings in his absence. Tse had earlier obtained the court's permission to initiate judicial review proceedings, citing concerns including the authorities' failure to go through the proper consultation process before endorsing an environmental impact assessment report on developing a technology hub near the mainland Chinese border. But the litigant said in an earlier court statement he abandoned the challenge 'with utmost regret' after he was refused legal aid and became a target of 'widespread harassment and intimidation', with his family also suffering from mail threats and online doxxing. Mr Justice Russell Coleman in his written ruling denounced the conduct of Tse's harassers as insidious and unacceptable, but said most online allegations made against the social worker arose from ' other aspects of the applicant's circumstances ' rather than his legal bid. Advertisement The judge also highlighted the main reason for Tse to withdraw his case was to avoid bearing the government's legal expenses in the absence of legal aid should his bid fail. 'It is not acceptable, and it is deeply unattractive that persons pursuing legitimate legal rights in matters of public interest should ever be concerned that they or their families might face potential harassment and intimidation from faceless and nameless third parties hiding in the shadows,' Coleman wrote.
South China Morning Post
26-03-2025
- Business
- South China Morning Post
Why lack of clear vision is holding back Northern Metropolis' future
Hong Kong recently celebrated a significant milestone: the grand opening of the Kai Tak Stadium . On a weekend as I jogged past the venue, the Kai Tak Run – the sport park's first running event – was in full swing. Hundreds of participants embarked on a route winding around the youth park, the main stadium, Kai Tak Arena and the retail complex. The atmosphere was electric. Advertisement What struck me most was how the area around the sports ground has emerged. New residential towers have risen, a sprawling shopping centre has opened for business and the MTR's Sung Wong Toi and Kai Tak stations now connect the area to the rest of the city. Nearby, the construction of transitional public housing and the juxtaposition of old airport runway sites with the cruise terminal paint a vivid picture of a district in transition. Since the launch of the Kai Tak Development Plan, the vision for this area has gradually come to life. Today, Kai Tak stands as a modern hub blending sports, arts and tourism, with its sleek aesthetic contrasting sharply with the historical features and ageing charm of the neighbouring Kowloon City . Past and future converge beneath the shadow of the Lion Rock, showcasing Hong Kong's unique urban diversity. Kai Tak is just one piece of a larger puzzle. In recent years, the government has rolled out multiple regional development plans, including the Northern Metropolis and the Lantau artificial island project . While these initiatives differ in scale and location, they share a common goal: reimagine specific areas through strategic land use and industrial reconfiguration. However, the success of such developments hinges not just on location but on clear, cohesive planning. Without a well-defined vision, these projects risk becoming little more than clusters of real estate ventures which are devoid of distinctive character. In particular, the Northern Metropolis leaves much to be desired here. Touted as Hong Kong's new growth engine, the Northern Metropolis is meant to complement the city's industrial strategy. Yet, beyond the San Tin Technopole and the Lok Ma Chau Loop, the tech-driven vision for the area remains underdeveloped.
