The construction of a high speed rail linking Hong Kong to the mainland was approved by the public works subcommittee of the Legislative Council last week. According to its tradition, the allocation of funding from the finance committee is just a matter of procedure. This has in effect put an end to the long public debate on the issue. As one of the earliest proponents of the project, I must say I am happy about the result.

But the problem does not end here, as the project was approved with nearly a thousand protestors outside, some of whom had to be removed by the police later that night. Most of these protestors were youngsters with no close political affiliations and no direct interest in the matter. Sifting through their incoherent demands and slogans, and reading between the lines, it is quite clear that most of these people had no idea what the project is all about.

They were not happy, and they did not like the way the government handled the project. In fact, they did not trust the government, thinking that there is a conspiracy between the government and some property tycoons so that most if not all benefits of the project will ultimately go to these super-rich people. Politics is perception, and to them, their perception is real.

The worst part of the story is, this perception is spreading fast, reinforced by the fact that property interest is everywhere and is squeezing out everybody else. Property prices have skyrocketed to world record height so that 99 percent of the population cannot afford to buy property, and property companies have scored staggering profits.

At the same time, some 1 million people are regarded as living in poverty, though the term "poverty" has no defined limits in Hong Kong. Even university graduates find it hard to afford their own flats. Social mobility is not there any more, and Gini's Coefficient which measures the income disparity in a society is among the highest in the world.

The high-speed railway is going to have its terminal in the heart of Kowloon, which many think is good news for the property tycoons. The entire line is without even a station in the New Territories, which is of great inconvenience to some 2 million inhabitants there. I can fully understand their frustration and anger.

The high-speed railway has to be built immediately without any further delay, or else we risk self-marginalization. But at the same time, the frustration and anger of a growing number of people, especially the young, have to be seriously addressed. For a troubled city, easier connectivity will only facilitate more people leaving. Clearly this is not our objective for building the high-speed link.

The author is a member of the Commission on Strategic Development

(HK Edition 12/08/2009 page1)