Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
The Deputy Financial Secretary, Mr Michael Wong, held a press conference with the Secretary for Housing, Ms Winnie Ho and Deputy Secretary for Housing, Ms Estrella Cheung today (February 21) to announce the long-term housing arrangements for Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po. Following are the remarks by Mr Wong at the press conference:
Reporter: Firstly, the Government said that only nine per cent of residents would not accept any other options than in-situ resettlement. Does the Government believe that this really is the minor opinion, given that there’s also 22 per cent that are also open to other options in addition to this in-situ redevelopment, and how will the Government address those who really strongly believe that they want in-situ redevelopment? Will there be any additional convincing? Secondly, the Government’s offer to repurchase these flats at $10,500 and $8,000 per square feet, depending on whether land premium is paid – how would you respond to some criticism from residents that the price paid is not enough to get a similar flat under the price being offered by the Government? Could you also talk about the public funds that are involved in the purchase, and what is the Government’s assessment on that spending to its fiscal health? And lastly, just asking about Wang Chi House as well – if there are some residents who no longer want to stay in Wang Chi House but are not offered the resettlement option under the current government resettlement programme, what else could they do? Do they have to, as other reporters have suggested, perhaps sell their apartments to other Wang Fuk Court residents? Or what is the option they have available?