Following is the speech by the Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Chan Kwok-ki, at the visit to the Northern Metropolis for Consular Corps today (October 28): 

Commissioner Cui (Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), Mr Cui Jianchun), Consuls-General, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, 

     Good morning. May I first extend my warmest welcome to you all to the Northern Metropolis, and my thanks to the Commissioner's Office of China's Foreign Ministry in the HKSAR for inviting the consular community to this meaningful visit.  

     This is a wonderful occasion for the HKSAR Government to update our global partners on the latest developments of Hong Kong, and to show the existing and exciting opportunities in the Northern Metropolis to enterprises and talent at home and abroad.

     Since it started in 2021, the Northern Metropolis has grown from a large-scale land development project into an initiative of national strategic importance. It was mentioned in the National 15th Five-Year Plan in March 2026. And we have also included a dedicated chapter on the initiative in both Hong Kong's First Five-Year Plan and the Chief Executive's 2026 Policy Address, announced this September. All these show how important the Northern Metropolis is to Hong Kong's future.

     Simply put, the Northern Metropolis is in northern Hong Kong and adjoins Shenzhen. It covers about 30 000 hectares, or about one-third of Hong Kong's total area. It mainly covers the existing Yuen Long District and North District.  

     While the HKSAR Government will continue to develop our most competitive sectors, such as finance, in our traditional central business districts at the Harbour Metropolis, the Northern Metropolis is being developed with the objectives of a university town, innovation and technology, industry, and an environment suitable for living, work, and travel.  

     The Northern Metropolis will provide much-needed land for Hong Kong's economic and social development, and will also be an important strategic vehicle for high-quality post-secondary education development, integration of technological and industry innovation, and attracting international high-calibre talent.

     The full development of the Northern Metropolis is expected to take around 10 to 20 years. By then, it will provide about 650 000 job opportunities and be home to about 2.5 million residents.

     Given the mass scale of the project, one common misconception is that the Northern Metropolis is still only a plan on paper. That is not true. It has already begun to deliver real results and will gradually enter its maturity phase.  

     Today, you will visit the Loop and Hung Shui Kiu. These visits will give you a clearer picture of the latest progress. You will also see what opportunities may be open to investors, professionals, researchers and students from your country.

     I wish you all a rewarding visit today and look forward to working with our global partners to foster the development of the Northern Metropolis. This is the place where Hong Kong will build stronger links with the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and contribute to the overall national development. It will also bring new opportunities to overseas businesses and talent, and strengthen Hong Kong's status as Asia's world city. Thank you.

Ends/Wednesday, October 28, 2026
Issued at HKT 11:28

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