Hong Kong to harness mainland counterparts’ expertise on ‘zoned’ projects: No 2 official

Hong Kong’s No 2 official has called for the city to tap into mainland Chinese expertise with “zoned” projects as the government prepares to sell land parcels in the Northern Metropolis next year to get the private sector to expedite the area’s development.

Chief Secretary Eric Chan Kwok-ki on Tuesday led a delegation of officials and business representatives on a tour to the mainland cities of Foshan, Guangzhou and Dongguan.

The group visited the planning exhibition about the Guangzhou Development Zone, the Dongguan Waterfront Economic Development Zone and the factory of electronics manufacturer Oppo.

“This afternoon’s tour of the two development zones and Oppo’s factory has provided very good references for Hong Kong to develop its own zoned areas,” Chan said.

Tuesday marked the second day of a three-day tour in the Greater Bay Area cities, in which some of Hong Kong’s prominent tycoons are joining Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu and Chan as well as other officials.

The trip follows a call by Beijing’s top man on Hong Kong affairs for the business sector to take the lead in reforming the economy.