Hong Kong leader has ‘burning urgency’ to fast-track Northern Metropolis project

Hong Kong’s leader is exploring further legal amendments to expedite the development of Northern Metropolis as he feels a “burning urgency” to build the economic powerhouse close to the city’s border with mainland China.

Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu told lawmakers on Thursday that he hoped to seek views on fast-tracking the progress of Northern Metropolis, a government blueprint that aims to transform 30,000 hectares (74,130 acres) in the New Territories into a new economic growth centre and housing hub.

“In the past two years, the government has sped up its pace to expedite the development of the Northern Metropolis. However, I still feel the burning urgency of accelerating it,” Lee said in a question-and-answer session at the Legislative Council.

“I can absolutely do something about the administrative procedures, but when it comes to legal amendments, we can only do it with the consensus of the lawmakers.”

Six existing ordinances, covering aspects such as land, reclamation, town planning, roads, and railways, were amended and came into effect in 2023 to streamline development procedures across the city.

The government has also proposed various schemes to leverage market forces in promoting the extensive blueprint’s development. One such initiative involves offering developers the opportunity to retain private residential sites for profit while also carrying out site formation work and constructing public facilities for the government.