Long Yingtai 龍應台 - 看一看香港

[skylee]

This is a new TV programme made by the HK government department RTHK.

Long Yingtai is a well-respected Taiwan writer. She was once in charge of the the culture department of Taipei City (that was when Ma Ying Jiu was the mayer). She's been teaching in HK for about 4 years now. Listen to what she has to say about HK, comparing it to Taiwan and so on. The programme is in Mandarin with subtitles in Traditional Chinese. There are two parts in the programme with a one-minute break in between.

Watch -> http://www.rthk.org.hk/asx/rthk/tv/rethinkinghk/20070706.asx

[ChineseSpeaker]

I have ever heard about her and Ma Ying Jiu.

But I don't think this program is available in China Mainland

[skylee]

The programme is on the RTHK website. I've heard that now people on the mainland can access the RTHK website (it being part of the HK government and all). Too bad if it is not true.

You mean you have heard of them, right?

[gato]

Do you agree with her?

[skylee]

I agree with her "有怎麽樣的人民，就有怎麽樣的政府” and her observation of“中環價值”. I don't think Taiwan is really “他山之石" for HK, though. But we can always learn from the success and failure of other places.

[gato]

She seems to have a blanket dislike of high-rises and attributes their prevalence in HK to politics, which I don't think is the case. Where are you fit all the people if you don't build up in HK?

[skylee]

But many of us did/do feel strongly about the recent demolition of the star ferry pier in Central (to make way for roads) and the coming demolition of Queen's pier which is next to star ferry. I think the government could sometimes do better, plan better, better accommodate people's wishes, etc when dealing with city planning etc.

It took 500 thousand people marching to force the government to withdraw an unpopular law. We don't always have the time and heart to do it all the time (which is probably why the government could usually have its way) and our legislators don't fight (physically) during meetings.

[Ian_Lee]

Actually in Hong Kong, not only old historical buildings are demolished, even brand new buildings are even demolished faster. I recalled the Alexander Building in Central was built in the '80s, but by the '90s they already demolished it and built another brand new Alexander Building. The Hysan Centre in Causeway Bay was built in the '80s, but they have torn it down and construction for another building is under way. The Ritz Carlton was built in the '90s and by the end of this year it is going to be demolished too.

In no other cities, even Tokyo and NYC, would brand new building be demolished so fast as Hong Kong is.

On the other hand, if you look from another perspective (Mainland instead of Taiwan), many tourists from Mainland are amazed that so many old houses and old narrow streets are preserved in Hong Kong. In Mainland cities, blocks after blocks of old buildings are bulldozed under administrative order (Don't ever think their eminen domain will be challenged in court), new 8 or 10 lanes boulevards are the norm (however it is still more congested than the 4-lane road in HK). Hong Kong has more character than a lot of those Mainland cities which only strive for development.

Can Hong Kong build less high-rise which Lung strongly dislikes? Of course, it can since 70+% of its land is classified as country parks. But do people in HK desire its city become another urban sprawl where you still only see buildings after hours of drive? But in HK, you can go to the beach like Repulse Bay or very secluded serene areas like the Peak within 30 minutes. Not many other urban dwellers can do that.

And RTHK program is banned in Mainland. Why? Because it is not HCTV like CCTV is.

[gato]

In Mainland cities, blocks after blocks of old buildings are bulldozed under administrative order (Don't ever think their eminent domain will be challenged in court)

Actually, the government or developer has to get the agreement of the current resident before tearing building downs. Remember also the case of the 最牛的钉子户 in Chongqing a few months ago.

See this article:

http://bj.house.sina.com.cn/news/2007-07-05/1441200338.html

北京酒仙桥危改 公投背后的阶层斗争

The reasons why most new developments in the mainland lack "characters" is because most developers/officials have very taste and think big equals beautiful. They call it it "有气质",“有气派”. They build things that look impressive from the sky but aren't so great when you are on the ground.

And RTHK program is banned in Mainland.

The website is now accessible in China for some reason. Maybe for the 10th anniversary.

[Ian_Lee]

What did the 最牛的钉子户 face?

Cut-off of electricity and water supply.

[skylee]

What is HCTV?

[Ian_Lee]

Hong Kong Central TV if a new government propaganda media is set up under the proposal by the panel.