Albert Cheng

Opinion | Hong Kong’s third runway and Lantau Tomorrow Vision are obsolete as coronavirus changes the world

Given the pandemic’s challenges and unforeseeable factors, the Hong Kong government should rethink existing development plans and be more flexible, focusing on those that are vital to the city’s survival and in the people’s best interests

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A boat heads away from construction work as part of the third runway at Hong Kong International Airport on August 20, 2018. Uncertainty over the future of the aviation industry and potential cost overruns raise questions about the need for the project. Photo: Nora Tam

Albert Cheng

Published: 6:30am, 26 Jun 2020Updated: 1:35pm, 20 Oct 2020

The world has undergone drastic changes in the past year with unprecedented “black swan” events occurring. The US-China trade war, Hong Kong’s protests against the extradition bill, the Covid-19 pandemic, the death of George Floyd which led to the Black Lives Matter demonstrations – all have disrupted the world order.

Fashion retail chain Zara closed down 1,200 of its outlets overnight. The global aviation industry has been brought to a standstill, and global commerce has contracted significantly. In Hong Kong, Ocean Park and Cathay Pacific received a government bailout to help them survive the current challenges.

More than 9 million people have been diagnosed with Covid-19, and the death toll has reached almost half a million and continues to surge. One after another, countries are being hit hard by the pandemic.

It’s clear that Covid-19 is far from under control. The suspected second wave has already surfaced in China, the United States and Europe.

Experts estimate that, with the arrival of autumn and winter in the northern hemisphere, we will see further outbreaks. It could take years until a vaccine is shown to be effective with all serious side-effects eliminated.

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What is worth highlighting is that the pandemic has completely changed our way of living, overturning traditional industries and existing systems. Then there is the negative impact of the new cold war caused by the prolonged stand-off between China and the United States.