Make west wing a home for social innovation
Secretary for Development Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor's announcement that the west wing of the Central Government Offices will be demolished to build a 32-storey Grade A office building, but without the shopping mall, is hardly a concession to public opinion. It is a dereliction of public duty. As a public servant, Mrs Lam has failed to take into account the best interests of Hong Kong.
Hong Kong's assets belong to its people, not the government officials who are merely stewards appointed to look after them. Future revenues can replace public money that has been spent unwisely or lost. But prime land and historical buildings, once sold or demolished, are irreplaceable.
The west wing is an integral part of the Government Hill complex and needs to be preserved. The significance of the entire complex lies not in its architectural merits, which are debatable, but in its location as the seat of government since colonial times. If Chief Executive Donald Tsang Yam-kuen is serious about respecting history, he needs to put a stop to this charade immediately.
There is only one Central in Hong Kong and the district's importance and attractiveness as a centre for international finance and commerce are undeniable. Yet, we must not forget that Central should not be the exclusive domain of the global investment banks that can afford to pay the world's most expensive rents, or the designer boutiques and flagship stores which cater to the thousands of mainland tourists visiting Hong Kong daily.
The Hong Kong government has already taken care of its own needs by building a brand new office complex in Tamar. With the west wing, it now has a golden opportunity to cater to the needs of a forgotten group of people - young entrepreneurs working on innovative ideas to keep Hong Kong at the forefront of science, technology and the arts.
The west wing was built for government servants working for the public good. Let us keep this spirit alive by making it a home for the best ideas from policymakers, community organisations and investors, where capital and talented people can converge to build a better and sustainable Hong Kong. Invite ideas from the best global minds on how to design and use such a space.
A Hong Kong government that is willing to forgo short-term revenues and boldly invest in the people of Hong Kong will win the admiration of not only its citizens, but also the world. Given the acute land shortage in Central, transforming the west wing into a community space for social innovation sends out the clearest signal that we are serious about securing our future.
Ming Wong is co-founder and vice-chair of the Social Investors Club in Hong Kong. Follow him on Twitter: @HKSocInvestor
