Event Summary
On 2 August 2025, the Society for Protection of the Harbour announced its disbandment after 30 years of advocacy, citing legislative amendments that weakened legal protections for Victoria Harbour. The organization ceased operations following May 2025 changes to the Protection of the Harbour Ordinance that relaxed rules on harbour reclamation. Founder Winston Chu, an 85-year-old lawyer, stated the group was “no longer able to effectively protect the harbour by law” as legal protections had been repealed, including requirements for “overriding public need” before reclamation projects could proceed. The amendments allow the government to replace courts in determining “public need” for reclamation projects and permit small-scale reclamation projects up to 0.8 hectares without judicial oversight. The society had made over 20 submissions opposing the changes, with only half receiving government replies that failed to address core concerns about the government becoming “judge of its own cause.” The group also resigned from the government-appointed Harbourfront Commission. Vice-chairman Hardy Lok said unanimous decision was made as the organization could no longer fulfil its mission under the new legal framework. Winston Chu specifically denied connections to Development Secretary Bernadette Linn’s “soft resistance” warnings, stating the decision was made over a year ago and expressing hope that government would exercise control “in a wise and fair manner.”
This event is part of an established pattern of civil society organizations dissolving or reducing operations due to legislative and regulatory changes that eliminate their ability to fulfil their missions effectively. The disbandment follows the broader trend of civil society groups facing systematic constraints through legal and administrative changes rather than direct suppression.