Why the Northern Metropolis needs more than one big push

AdvertisementHong Kong economyOpinionHong Kong OpinionAlice WuOpinionWhy the Northern Metropolis needs more than one big pushBeijing has upped the ante with help and pressure, including calling upon the business community’s patriotism, but the Hong Kong government must still sell the business plan 3-MIN READ3-MIN ListenAlice WuPublished: 9:30am, 20 Apr 2026Hong Kong’s government is under mounting pressure to deliver the Northern Metropolis, announced in 2021, as it approaches the end of its term – less than 15 months and counting. The megaproject, to turn 30,000 hectares (74,132 acres) near the border with mainland China into a centre of international innovation and technology, is to be an engine to drive the city’s economic growth and housing – and the gem of its economic integration with the mainland.We are pressed for time. Beijing has long urged the city to get on with national plans but leaders have upped the ante significantly in recent years. Xia Baolong, Beijing’s official overseeing Hong Kong affairs, has been relentless in pushing the message. The stars are aligned for Hong Kong in China’s 15th five-year plan, Xia said, emphasising the need for Hong Kong – and Macau – to comprehend the plan’s “extraordinary significance” for them.Xia has kept at it with fact-finding trips to the Greater Bay Area, meeting Hong Kong officials over the university town proposed under the Northern Metropolis and urging the business community to show their patriotism through “concrete actions” – investing in innovation and the Northern Metropolis are how this city’s business leaders are to show their love for their country.AdvertisementThe message is not lost on the city’s authorities and business leaders. But many, it seems, remain at a loss as to how they can act on that love. The government is working hard to get the Northern Metropolis off the ground, going to creative lengths like proposing special laws, currently undergoing a public consultation before they can be passed in Legislative Council. These are laws applicable only to the Northern Metropolis to allow for fast-tracked statutory approval procedures. The Development Bureau said one of its legislative proposals would remove a procedure for changing land use, drastically reducing what usually takes nine months to just two. Lawmaker and tech entrepreneur Johnny Ng Kit-chong said there were enterprises interested, even eager to acquire land in the area, but they remained stuck – still looking for guidance on the application process. Streamlining the process may be a good start but it is equally important the government spells out and shows targeted industries and companies how things need to be done. A labyrinth simplified remains a complex puzzle to solve. AdvertisementSelect VoiceSelect Speed0.8x0.9x1.0x1.1x1.2x1.5x1.75x00:0000:001.00x