With Hong Kong leader John Lee set to deliver his annual policy address on September 17, the Post examines key topics the chief executive is expected to focus on, including a mega infrastructure project near the border, new economic drivers and livelihood issues.
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In the second of a seven-part series, Edith Lin examines how the mega development near the border may evolve to become a new engine to transform the city’s economy.
Hong Kong’s Northern Metropolis can be a game changer in diversifying the economy, but only if the government also works on reducing its reliance on the finance sector, sets clear targets and prioritises building a university town to support a planned innovation hub, analysts have said.
They made the assessment ahead of Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu’s fourth policy address, in which the megaproject to transform 30,000 hectares (74,132 acres) of land near the city’s border with mainland China is expected to be a highlight. The hub is seen as a potential new economic engine and is poised to transform the city if it succeeds.
The government envisions building a 300-hectare international innovation and technology (I&T) hub, dubbed the San Tin Technopole, in the megaproject, alongside its traditional international financial centre in Central on Hong Kong Island.
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While finance and other service industries have been key economic pillars since the 1990s, the government had only taken baby steps in technology development at the time, such as injecting funding and building infrastructure like the Science Park. A dedicated bureau was set up only in 2015.
