Hong Kong’s John Lee has aimed high in his policy address, but can he deliver?

The decision by Hong Kong’s leader to personally oversee the fast-tracked development of the massive Northern Metropolis project while also undertaking smaller initiatives such as building a “pet economy” underscores an aim-high, spread-wide policy address, but some of his key initiatives will only lay the foundation for future administrations to take forward, according to observers.

In his policy address on Wednesday, Chief Executive John Ka-chiu promised to expedite the mega development, first floated in 2021, with a detailed action plan.

He also put the focus on further strengthening Hong Kong’s competitive edge and position as a global financial centre, while mitigating the impact of the China-US trade war.

“It is important to aim high, especially with the Northern Metropolis,” Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce CEO Patrick Yeung Wai-tim told the Post.

He expected the project would drive new areas of growth, such as innovation and technology and artificial intelligence.

Located next to the border with mainland China, the Northern Metropolis is regarded as a game-changer for Hong Kong’s economic transformation.