Xia Baolong, head of the Hong Kong and Macao Work Office of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, began a two day visit to Hong Kong on Tuesday to inspect its progress with the Northern Metropolis and assess the success of its key projects in the areas of industry, innovation, education, and people’s livelihoods.

The visit by Xia, who is also director of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council, is to inspect Hong Kong's alignment with the National 15th Five Year Plan and the advancement of the Northern Metropolis.

The official arrived in Hong Kong on Tuesday morning via the Shenzhen Bay Port at around 9 am and made his first stop at the Hung Shui Kiu/Ha Tsuen New Development Area Community Liaison Centre, which showcases the area's progress.

Accompanied by senior officials, including Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu, Xia then visited the site of the Northern Metropolis University Town in Hung Shui Kiu/Ha Tsuen. Afterwards, he made his third stop at Yau Pok Road estate — a light public housing project in Yuen Long — before moving on to the Microelectronics Centre in Yuen Long InnoPark. The center aims to boost microelectronics innovation and third-generation semiconductor production.

In the afternoon, the officials visited Kwu Chun Estate, which is still under construction and will, when completed, be one of the first public housing estates in the Kwu Tung North New Development Area in Sheung Shui. He also visited the Hong Kong park of the Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Co-operation Zone.

ALSO READ: Xia inspects Zhuhai, Hengqin cooperation zone for GBA integration

During the visit, local officials briefed Xia on the latest progress with these projects, and described to him the transport infrastructure plans for the new towns and other tech landmarks, such as the Sandy Ridge Data Facility Cluster.

Secretary for Housing Winnie Ho Wing yin, after accompanying Xia on his third stop at Yau Pok Road estate, told media that Xia was pleased with the improvements in residents' living conditions and rental arrangements.

The large scale social housing project, which was built with standardized designs and is based on a modular integrated construction approach, became available for occupancy in March 2025 and is now fully occupied.

Ho said she had explained to Xia how modular integrated construction — with components manufactured in factories in Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area cities such as Zhuhai, Huizhou and Jiangmen — enabled the city to build and deliver 30,000 units quickly. She added that visitors were keen to see how the large factories, mechanized with robotics, help address Hong Kong's housing challenge.

The officials later visited a family of four, who were among the first residents to move into the estate. The family has lived there for over a year and is now preparing to move into conventional public housing.

The resident said Xia showed an interest in how their living conditions have improved. The family previously lived in a subdivided flat of about 120 square feet, and paid over HK$6,000 ($766) a month, including utilities. Now their costs have been greatly reduced, and their living environment has markedly improved, with better air quality, more space for the children to study and play, and better transport links.  

Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry Sun Dong, who updated Xia on the new towns' tech projects, said Xia commended progress with projects such as the Hetao cooperation zone. Xia also called on Hong Kong to make the most of the “precious window of opportunity” to accelerate the city's growth, thanks to the nation's 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-30).

Contact the writer at gangwen@chinadailyhk,com