Feng Shui master's input on rail path sparks debate

Paul Lam Kwok-hung, one of Hong Kong's best known experts on the ancient Chinese art, is being paid out of public funds to help choose the Hong Kong route, the South China Morning Post reported. The move drew fire from legislator Cyd Ho, who was quoted as saying: "To involve a Fung Shui element in a legal appeal is ridiculous."

Another legislator, Law Chi-kwong, said: "It seems unfair to passengers because all the costs will be reflected in rail fares in the end." Fung Shui experts divine fortunes by reading signals given off by water, wood and fire. They are widely used in Chinese communities to decide everything from building design to choosing auspicious dates for getting married and moving house.

The original plan called for the government-owned Kowloon-Canton Railway Corporation (KCRC) to build a rail line across an ecologically-sensitive valley in Hong Kong's New Territories. The plan was rejected last year on ecological grounds.

But Lam has submitted a report to a legal inquiry that is believed to support the original route. Lam reportedly said any alterations to the original route would be bad Fung Shui for surrounding villagers. A KCRC spokesman said: "Fung Shui is always a matter of concern for infrastructure projects in the New Territories."

(la/dpa)