Recent news item:
Environmentalists say project is not necessary as official data indicates the population will peak at 8.22 million in 2043 before declining
… concern groups said on Thursday that such a large-scale reclamation, based on a projected population of nine million, was not necessary as official data indicated the number of Hongkongers would peak at 8.22 million in 2043 before declining.
Roy Tam Hoi-pong, chief executive of the environmental group Green Sense, feared the project would drain the city’s coffers, estimating it could cost up to HK$1 trillion (US$128.2 billion), almost all of Hong Kong’s fiscal reserves.
Another opinion piece, here from Albert Cheng:
The scale of the project is ridiculous; even former Legislative Council president Jasper Tsang Yok-sing is having trouble getting behind the plan.
… It’s as clear as day that mainland China’s construction sector will be the biggest winner. Sure, although infrastructure … may deliver economic benefits to the city, the actual amount is in doubt.