Legislation boosts Northern Metropolis project, promotes tech transformation

The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government introduced dedicated legislation to the Legislative Council on Wednesday that would accelerate the development of the Northern Metropolis mega-township project.

Officials said the SAR government aims to see the bill scrutinized and approved within this year.

Following the bill’s first reading at the LegCo meeting, Secretary for Development Bernadette Linn Hon-ho moved to proceed to its second reading, saying that construction of the Northern Metropolis is now in its full-scale phase and enterprises are now being established.

She added that the government must accelerate the final stage of construction and promptly respond to the needs of enterprises.

Following a standard procedure, LegCo President Starry Lee Wai-king adjourned the second-reading debate, and the bill was referred to the House Committee for further deliberation.

Linn said she hopes all legislative procedures can be completed within the year, adding that the government will submit the first batch of subsidiary legislation to LegCo after the bill has been reviewed.

Responding to lawmakers’ questions at the same meeting, Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry Sun Dong said the bill includes policy measures to streamline planning procedures for the Northern Metropolis and facilitate cross-border scientific research and talent flows.

Bordering Shenzhen, the Northern Metropolis is expected to accommodate 2.5 million residents — about one-third of the city’s population — and inject a new economic impetus into the city, particularly in innovation.

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Lau Siu-kai, consultant and former vice-president of the Chinese Association of Hong Kong and Macao Studies, told China Daily that he believes the bill signals that the HKSAR government is “prepared to take innovative, bold, and flexible measures to accelerate the development of the Northern Metropolis”.

These measures reflect the government’s determination to actively lead in diversifying and upgrading Hong Kong’s industrial structure and promoting new economic activities, Lau said. The experience gained from the development of the Northern Metropolis can be applied to other areas in Hong Kong to accelerate their development, he added.

Lau also said that the bill’s passage is of great interest to society because of the importance of its implications.

“There is a strong need to listen to the views of prospective investors, enterprises, and universities to incentivize their interest and participation in the Northern Metropolis,” Lau said.

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In response to a China Daily query, lawmaker Nicholas Chan Hiu-fung said the Northern Metropolis is crucial for Hong Kong’s development over the next two to three decades, involving land, housing, transport and industry, affecting hundreds of thousands of residents.

He described the bill, which turns the government blueprint into a legally enforceable framework, as a vital step forward.

Chan stressed the need for efficient but prudent lawmaking. The Northern Metropolis involves extensive cross-departmental coordination, land title issues and infrastructure support, all requiring adequate time for consultation and the plugging of potential loopholes, he added. However, Chan said, if legislation cannot keep pace with construction, a mismatch could arise, which will inevitably lead to implementation problems.

Chan said that for the legislative process ahead, he aims to thoroughly understand the bill, identify any provisions that may be contentious or difficult to implement, and demand clear responses from the government. He pledged to proactively reach out to stakeholders, including residents, developers, and professionals, during the scrutiny process and bring their concerns into the legislative debates.

“I hope the final law can stand the test of time and truly serve Hong Kong residents,” Chan said.

Contact the writer at amberwu@chinadaiyhk.com