Secretary for Development Carrie Lam has called for the new owner of King Yin Lei to discuss the future of the historic building with the Government as soon as possible.

Mrs Lam said: "I appeal to the new owner to give us an opportunity to sit down and talk it through to see what mutually acceptable arrangements or solutions we can come up with jointly to respond positively to community expectation."

She said the Government's action to declare King Yin Lei a proposed monument does not infringe on private ownership.

"We are doing all that is available to us under the Antiquities & Monuments Ordinance. And the speed we have invoked the ordinance I think has been appreciated."

She admitted the Government earlier received a letter asking for a meeting with officials to discuss issues related to the historic building. The letter was passed to the Home Affairs Bureau and the Antiquities & Monuments Office. However, she admitted the office was not sensitive enough in dealing with the case.