Beijing’s top official overseeing Hong Kong affairs will visit the city on Tuesday and Wednesday, with a check on the progress of the Northern Metropolis part of the itinerary, while sources say the chief executive will join him as he looks into a cross-border technology cooperation platform.
The Hong Kong government announced on Monday morning that Xia Baolong, director of the Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office, would be visiting the city for two days.
“[Xia will] inspect Hong Kong’s alignment with the national 15th five-year plan and the advancement of the Northern Metropolis,” it said, referring to the megaproject to turn 30,000 hectares (74,131 acres) of land into an economic growth engine and housing hub.
Advertisement
The top official’s visit will take place just a day after the beginning of the two-month public consultation for the Hong Kong government’s first five-year plan, which aims to integrate the city into national development.
Sources said Xia aimed to look into Hong Kong authorities’ progress in drafting the plan, and how to improve cooperation mechanisms between Greater Bay Area cities.
“The Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Cooperation Zone in Lok Ma Chau will be one of his stops,” an insider said, adding that Xia would be accompanied by Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu.