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2d ago

Hong Kong Eases Harbour Reclamation Rules, Shifting Approval to Chief Executive

New legislation fast-tracks small-scale projects and reduces judicial oversight, raising concerns over environmental protections.

Hong Kong passed a law making it easier to create new land through reclamation in the city's famed Victoria Harbour despite objections from environmental activists
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Overview

  • Hong Kong's legislature passed a law on May 7, 2025, streamlining land reclamation in Victoria Harbour by easing the 'overriding public need' requirement.
  • The law grants the chief executive final authority on reclamation projects, replacing the previous role of judicial oversight in determining public need.
  • The Development Bureau stated the changes aim to enhance harbourfront public spaces and assured there are no plans for large-scale reclamation.
  • Environmentalists and advocacy groups warn that the reduced legal safeguards weaken protections for Victoria Harbour as a natural and cultural heritage site.
  • Public opposition to reclamation projects can still be pursued through judicial review, though critics argue the overall protection framework has been diminished.