Supplying Hong Kong / by Ka-chiu Lee

Post-WWII water supply infrastructure in Hong Kong was developed amidst the complex geopolitical landscape of the Cold War. By the late 1970s, numerous large-scale local water projects were completed, with reservoirs and catchment areas occupying nearly 40% of Hong Kong's land mass. Facing water scarcity and limited land, water projects were often situated in prime agricultural regions, inevitably impacting agricultural interests. The Hong Kong government had already implemented policies to improve the livelihoods of New Territories farmers, aiming to stabilize the agricultural community. Subsequently, a large influx of immigrants from mainland China arrived in Hong Kong, many of whom chose to engage in farming in the New Territories. The government further hoped to absorb labor through agricultural development. The local water supply projects, initiated to mitigate geopolitical challenges by accepting water from China, and the agricultural policies, also implemented to ease political pressure, created conflicts in the utilization of water and land resources. How did the Hong Kong government, with its limited water and land resources, balance water supply and agriculture, achieving the best of both worlds? Full Title: Supplying Hong Kong: Geopolitics, Water Infrastructure, and Agricultural Development (1940s–1970s) Author: Ka-chiu Lee ISBN: 978-988-237-375-4 Binding: Paperback Language: Traditional Chinese Pages: 296 Dimensions: 229 x 152 mm **About the Author** **Ka-chiu Lee** Dr. Lee holds a Ph.D. in Political Science and is a political geographer. He is a lecturer in the School of Policy and Politics (formerly Department of Government and Public Administration) at The Chinese University of Hong Kong, teaching undergraduate and master's programs. He served as the Chair of the Departmental Undergraduate Committee for many years, overseeing undergraduate curriculum and student affairs. He received the Exemplary Teaching Award in Social Sciences from The Chinese University of Hong Kong in 2013. Over the years, he has lectured in training programs for mainland Chinese provincial and municipal cadres visiting Hong Kong, focusing on Hong Kong's community governance. His academic articles have been published in journals such as International Journal of Urban and Regional Research, Political Geography, "Thought and Words," and "Modernization Studies." His commentary pieces have appeared in publications including "Ming Pao," "Hong Kong Economic Journal," and "Initium Media." Media interviews and features can be found in "Foreign Policy," "South China Morning Post," "Ming Pao," "CommonWealth Magazine," RTHK's "The Pulse," and Phoenix TV's "Phoenix Elite." **Endorsements** Readers of social science books usually seek more than just the surface of things; they desire to see through phenomena and uncover deeper meanings. In "Supplying Hong Kong," Ka-chiu Lee uses a familiar topic—Hong Kong's scarcity of land and abundant population, making it difficult to provide drinking water for a growing populace—to tell a story many are unaware of. —**David C. L. Tai**, Distinguished Visiting Professor, Education University of Hong Kong This book meticulously details, with rich data and illustrations, how the post-war Hong Kong government, within the broader context of the Cold War, carefully considered various options for water supply, coordinated with agricultural development and land use, governed the New Territories, and managed relationships with New Territories gentry and landowners. It is an indispensable and comprehensive work. —**Ma Yue**, Associate Professor, School of Policy and Politics, The Chinese University of Hong Kong The British Hong Kong government invested heavily in local water supply systems, yet ultimately came to rely on the Dongjiang River water supply. This book attempts to explain the reasons and turning points behind this shift. After reading it, one will understand that political theory is not necessarily abstract; it can stem from reflections on everyday life. —**Choy Chi-keung**, Senior Lecturer, School of Policy and Politics, The Chinese University of Hong Kong