Northern Metropolis should not remain a mere mantra and vision

The Northern Metropolis development strategy proposed by Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor in her Policy Address last year has become a hot topic, with much of the discussion focusing on whether it can be transformed into a growth engine for Hong Kong’s future development. With the formation of a patriots-only Legislative Council under the improved electoral system, conceivably, the Northern Metropolis project will be on the priority list of the upcoming new administration.

The Northern Metropolis is still in its conceptual phase. Experts are enthusiastic about offering planning strategies, with some suggesting that it should be part of a grand strategy that will see the northern part of Hong Kong developing into a base of inno-tech industries, and the southern part of the city continuing to play the role of a financial hub, and the ultimate objective is that Hong Kong will play a major role and contribute to the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area as an international innovation and technology hub. Only with such a farsighted strategic vision can we fully unleash the development potential of northern Hong Kong, which will not only cater to the city’s domestic needs but also contribute to the overall development of the country. With such a vision, the next step is to explore the specific measures we should take.

If Hong Kong can settle the competing interests among various stakeholders. … Hong Kong society can look forward to a crucial turning point in the city’s socioeconomic development for sure

First, the development strategy should feature an industry-city integration model, with the aim of developing the Northern Metropolis into a high-tech hub like Silicon Valley, which has successfully brought together technological giants, talents and investors over the years to become one of the most influential innovation hubs in the world.

Some major cities in the Chinese mainland such as Beijing and Shenzhen have also given priority to the development of their high-tech industries, leveraging the financial and policy support of both the national and municipal governments.

In addition to government input, world-class high-tech hubs have more access to scientific and technological resources provided by higher education institutions, whose scientific and technological research results help facilitate the development of business clusters; and the enterprises in turn reciprocate universities and research institutes by offering the researchers opportunities to gain hands-on experience in their state-of-the-art technologies.

There are sufficient land resources in the northern part of Hong Kong for the city to create a high-tech ecosystem. The city’s existing internationalized education institutes and talent pool, coupled with the technological prowess of the country, make it possible for Hong Kong to develop the Northern Metropolis into a high-tech hub wherein the special administrative region government, enterprises, universities and research institutes work together to maintain a first-rate high-tech ecosystem. By also tapping into Shenzhen’s mighty manufacturing capacity and complete production chains, Hong Kong can build high-tech clusters that are capable of creating strong added-value. In the process, an international innovation and technology corridor will be built.

The Northern Metropolis development should not just be a vision; it should be accomplished expeditiously for Hong Kong people to reap the huge anticipated benefits sooner rather than later. The land issue is expected to be one of the hurdles in its development process. Unlike the urban areas of Hong Kong Island and Kowloon, many parts of land in the New Territories are privately owned with complex distribution of property rights, which explains why development in the north has always met with resistance. Now, with the public values of the northern area, namely its industrial function, social function and economic function, having been fully recognized, the SAR government must make a breakthrough in land acquisition so as to unleash the public values of the north as quickly as possible. Requisition of land should be carried out in sync with enhanced collaboration with the Shenzhen authorities in developing the existing Lok Ma Chau Loop into an international innovation and technology hub, which shall play a major role in driving the development of high-tech industries in the entire northern part of Hong Kong.

Arguably, the development of the northern part of Hong Kong is a mega project that will have a great impact on residents’ well-being in the next few decades. The development strategies and measures it entails will involve various stakeholders as well as the central government, a consensus is therefore urgently needed so as to initiate and expedite the development process. Fortunately, the incumbent Legislative Council formed under the revamped electoral system is free from irrational political machinations and confrontation, and can do a much better job in collecting public opinions through consultation and communication with their constituencies. If Hong Kong can settle the competing interests among various stakeholders and pull out all the stops to speed up the development of the city’s northern part, Hong Kong society can look forward to a crucial turning point in the city’s socioeconomic development for sure.

The author is senior research officer of the One Country Two Systems Research Institute.

The views do not necessarily reflect those of China Daily.