By South China Morning Post | Created at 2026-06-17 10:37:06 | Updated at 2026-06-17 15:42:14
5 hours ago
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, innovation and technology, talent, industry and urban space.
The proposed university town is a key part of the Northern Metropolis, a residential-commercial-lifestyle mega-development close to the city’s border with the mainland, 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 innovation, 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.”
