Hong Kong postcards often feature popular landmarks and attractions always mentioned in guidebooks. But such sites only occupy a small portion of Hong Kong. Perhaps the reason why everyone would describe the urban areas as crowded is because dwellings, infrastructure and people are concentrated in one quarter of the territory’s total land area.

Beaches, rock formations, hiking trails, thick forests and wetlands represent the off-the-beaten-path of Hong Kong, most of which are protected areas by the government. Yet, there are zoning loopholes that allow rich and influential people to purchase tracts of land and get a piece of paradise that no private villa in Phuket or Bali can compare to. The latest spotlight features energy tycoon Simon Lo, who wished to build a beachside home in a Sai Wan village, located near Sai Kung East Country Park and a portion of the ultra-long MacLehose Trail.

The piece of land was bought by Lo, chairman of Mongolia Energy Corporation, at a cost of less than HK$16 million (US$2.06m). A contractor was hired to convert the site into a private retreat that will consist of artificial ponds, a tennis court and a lodge. The remoteness of the location did not escape the wrath of conservationists and other concerned groups who launched protests. The same group of people are also active in monitoring the activities of Urban Renewal Authority in its effort to convert heritage sites into commercial interests.

Sai Wan village is not covered by the Antiquities and Monuments Ordinance which prohibits the excavation and other works without government permit. A spokeswoman for the Antiquities and Monuments Office said the Sai Wan site was included in an alert system for private developments but the government had not received any development application that would have triggered such an alert.

The construction has since been halted since last Wednesday. But Lo hinted that the development may only be suspended and not scrapped. 

“We will commence discussions with the related departments and organisations in the hope of finding a solution that is acceptable to various parties,” he said, without saying what he would do with the site. Peter Li, a spokesman of an alliance of nine green groups described Lo’s statement as totally insincere.

“No matter what he does now, Lo has to right his wrongs first. To show his sincerity, he had better restore the government site from which he removed vegetation and trashed with the diggers,” Li said.

Local residents are unhappy about the suspension of works. “If nobody bought the land, it would be a wasteland with rubbish and mosquitoes. Very dirty,” said Lai Kwan, Sai Wan village head.

Residents believe that Lo’s developments in the area will improve a difficult situation they are experiencing. There is no road to Sai Wan, which keeps tourists away from visiting shops and restaurants, and there is no immediate hospital care aging locals. Villagers may think that Lo’s arrival brings roads. But Lo may not need a road to get to his beach house; near the construction site is a landing pad for his helicopter.

At the moment, there is a status quo on this matter. This should also offer a reminder to the government to carefully review its existing laws and ordinances for the sake of conservation without forgetting the welfare of constituents. Who knows, the Sai Wan issue may only be one of the many examples of nature and wildelife habitat at risk due to encroachment of folks who have money and power.