[Policy Address] What is the budget for the northern metropolitan area?Carrie Lam: No plan

Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor proposed in the “policy address” to develop the “Northern Metropolis”, which involves about 300 square kilometers of land. Carrie Lam said that after the completion of the entire northern metropolitan area, the total number of residential units will reach 905,000 to 926,000, which can accommodate about 2.5 million people. Groups and citizens were worried that the plan would require huge amounts of public funds. At the press conference, Lam Cheng refused to explain the budget and expenditures, saying, “We are talking about a vision,” We are talking about a vision.

Carrie Lam’s opening speech at the afternoon press conference I spent a lot of space explaining the “Northern Metropolis”. She pointed out that the “Northern Metropolis” is a comprehensive development. A metropolitan area. The government chose to be in the north. Covering the North District and Yuen Long, the area covers 300 square kilometers, which is equivalent to 30% of the land area of ​​Hong Kong. It is hoped that in the future, both the north and south will have mature metropolitan areas, each with its own characteristics.

City Story」

She also said that the development of the “Northern Metropolis” is of great significance and should not be limited by the administrative boundary between Shenzhen and Hong Kong. This plan is a “two-city” story that breaks through thinking and crosses the administrative boundaries of Shenzhen and Hong Kong. It is expected that through planning integration, the development of different industries will be explored. She described that the area will be the most active area for urban construction and population growth in Hong Kong in the next 20 years, with seven cross-border land ports in the area. In addition to increasing the land for housing, it can also be used to develop industries, in line with the expansion plan of Qianhai in the Mainland, and provide a large number of employment opportunities. In order to achieve a job-living balance, the government also proposes to relocate government facilities and office buildings that “have no geographical restrictions and promote employment opportunities” to the northern metropolitan area as much as possible.

“Lantau Tomorrow” budget cost 624 billion Yuan Hong Kong people’s public money, the reporter asked her, how much is the budget for the “Northern Metropolis”? Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor did not respond positively, saying only that “We are talking about a vision, We are talking about a vision”, and that there is “no possibility of eclipse” in land development. The public need not worry about financial burdens. In terms of cash flow, there is Different methods can be considered, such as issuing bonds. Regarding railway development in the new metropolitan area, Carrie Lam pointed out that Hong Kong’s railways are supported by properties, and there are “a lot of land” in the area where properties can be developed. At the press conference in the evening, some media inquired about the budget of the “Northern Metropolitan Area”. She criticized that it was short-sighted to just look at expenditures. The reporter asked whether it would cost a trillion yuan. She said, “No plan.”

“Lantau Tomorrow” will not give up

The “Policy Address” does not focus much on another big project, “Lantau Tomorrow”, and some groups question whether it is “dying.” She denied this statement and emphasized that the government will not abandon reclamation because of the “Northern Metropolis”. The development of New Territories North is not a replacement for Kau Yi Chau reclamation. She further revealed that the authorities are striving to start the artificial island reclamation project in 2026, which is better than the original plan. One year earlier.

Democratic Party Chairman Luo Jianxi criticized, “Policy Address “Let’s talk about the northern metropolitan area, but have never talked about the issue of silver codes. I am worried that the policy will cost the public a lot of money, because the money in the warehouse has been used up by the government. I don’t want to talk about the transportation facilities. On the whole, where does the money come from? I haven’t mentioned the issue.”

Democratic Party Transport Policy Spokesperson Han Junxian continued Many of the transportation policies in the “Policy Address” are in line with the development of the northern metropolitan area. However, he pointed out that in the “Railway Development Strategy” proposed in 2014, Carrie Lam has many existing, planned, and supposedly launched railway lines that “finding numbers are still invisible.” This time he repeated it again. Many new railway developments connect Shenzhen and Qianhai. “Old debts are still outstanding and new development projects have emerged.”