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It looks like Hong Kong's naturists may have to look elsewhere for a place to
strip down and get tanned all over after plans for a nudist beach in Sai Kung
were opposed by traditional village leaders.
The chairmen of two rural committees, which represent about 80,000 villagers on
the Heung Yee Kuk rural body, said Thursday that it is ``not a good time'' to
build a nudist resort because people in Sai Kung are conservative.
The Body Arts Association, the 440-member nudist association that put forward
the proposals, said it will be patient because it takes time for people to
change attitudes.
The proposed resort, which the nudist group claims will attract investment of
HK$80 million and improve the indigenous economy, was presented to the Sai Kung
District Council last month. It would include barbecue and boating facilities
for nudists, and comprise up to 80 beach huts, according to the proposed plan.
Kau Tung Wan - a remote island beach on the south-east side of Kau Sai Chau - is
the preferred site, the association said.
Not a good idea, said Lau Wan-hei and Sing Hon-keung, the chairmen of two
powerful rural committees in the Sai Kung district.
``It is not mature now. They [the villagers] will oppose it,'' said Lau the
chairman of the Sai Kung rural Committee. ``I personally oppose it. It is not
good at this stage,'' said Sing, who chairs the Hang Hau rural committee.
He said people in Sai Kung are generally more conservative than those in urban
areas and that the nudist beach would be seen by many as disturbing.
But Lau said the committee will discuss the matter in their next meeting, adding
that the association should send them the proposal for consideration.
Simon Cheung, the nudist group's chairman, said Hong Kong people are generally
not anti-nudist.
``They [politicians] may be afraid to state their stance because they are not
clear about their voters' views,'' he said.
He said he will personally visit rural leaders to explain his views, adding that
the group's proposed investment-based development can be changed to a
government-operated site to avoid accusations of collusion.
A spokesperson for the Home Affairs Bureau said the government has not
officially received the proposal and could therefore not comment.
dennis.chong@singtaonewscorp.com
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