In Pictures: Authorities begin clearance of ‘illegal’ 20-year-old community space on Mission Hill

Hong Kong authorities initiated the clearance of an unauthorized 20-year-old community space on Mission Hill in Sham Shui Po on August 12, 2026. The plot of government land had been unlawfully occupied by elderly residents as a recreational area. Government contractors arrived at the Mission Hill slope on the first day of clearance operations, beginning the removal of exercise equipment and benches.

Residents who frequented the hillside space over the years, claiming it had been there for more than 20 years, expressed their concern. The Home Affairs Department announced that the two-phase clearance operation aimed to enhance safety standards and provide residents with upgraded facilities. The issue of illegal occupation of government land on Woh Chai Shan has been a longstanding problem in Sham Shui Po for over a decade.

The clearance operation was split into two phases, each covering different areas of the hillside. The Lands Department issued statutory notices requiring residents to vacate the plot by Wednesday, following an earlier attempt to clear the community park in January. The Home Affairs Department stated that the optimisation scheme would enhance recreational and sports facilities on Woh Chai Shan while rectifying hidden safety hazards.