Hong Kong’s John Lee pledges 10-fold expansion of new university town

Proposal follows Beijing’s point man on Hong Kong affairs Xia Baolong’s endorsement of city’s efforts on its first five-year plan

Hong Kong’s leader has vowed to expand its proposed university town near the border by tenfold to 1,000 hectares from its current size, after Beijing’s point man on local affairs endorsed the concept of linking education with industry, while recognising the city’s economic and innovation and technology (I&T) development.

Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu also said on Wednesday that Xia Baolong, director of the Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office, had pointed out that the Northern Metropolis megaproject was an important engine for the city’s economy, creating new momentum for development.

Lee said Xia endorsed his concept of turning the university town into a district, which should possess elements of education, I&T, talent, industry and urban space.

The proposed university town is a key part of the 30,000-hectare Northern Metropolis, a residential-commercial-lifestyle mega-development close to the city’s border with mainland China, which Lee said he would expedite to spur economic growth.

“Apart from the earmarked 100 hectares of campus space in the university town, the district should be expanded and should integrate with spaces for technology, industry development, and urban space,” Lee said.

“The district planning should reach 1,000 hectares or more for playing a bigger role in gathering talent.”