Carrie Lam: The northern metropolitan area crosses the Hong Kong-Shenzhen administrative boundary in order to produce synergies
China News Service, Hong Kong, October 6 (Reporter Wang Jiacheng) The Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Carrie Lam issued a 2021 policy address on the 6th entitled "Working together to create the future".
At the press conference held in the afternoon, she said that the northern metropolitan area proposed this time is of great significance. It is the first time for the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region to break through the thinking and cross the administrative boundaries of Hong Kong and Shenzhen. The "Tale of Two Cities" is a combination of "> 2".
She said that after implementing the Hong Kong National Security Law and improving the electoral system, Hong Kong has returned to the right track of "one country, two systems", which has created better conditions for Hong Kong to integrate into the overall situation of national development.
Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor said that the current Hong Kong metropolitan area is concentrated on both sides of Victoria Harbour, including the development of the northern part of Hong Kong Island and Kowloon, which has made Hong Kong an international financial center.
The new metropolitan area will be located in the north, covering the North District and Yuen Long District, covering 300 square kilometers, accounting for about 30% of the total land area in Hong Kong.
It is hoped that Hong Kong will have mature metropolitan areas in the north and south in the future, each with its own characteristics and expertise, and the two will reflect each other and develop side by side.
Regarding whether the northern metropolitan area will replace the "Lantau Tomorrow" plan, she emphasized that the northern metropolitan area is not an alternative to the "Lantau Tomorrow" plan. The SAR government will definitely not abandon reclamation and will strive to be one year earlier than the original plan. Kau Yi Chau reclamation will begin in 2026.
Regarding the construction of an international innovation and technology center, Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor said that over the past four years, the SAR government has invested 130 billion Hong Kong dollars in financial support, which has made Hong Kong's innovation and technology business vigorous and entered a golden age.
The central government has spared no effort to support the development of Hong Kong's innovation and technology. The Ministry of Science and Technology, the Chinese Academy of Sciences, and the science and technology system departments of Guangdong and other places have all provided many practical preferential policies for Hong Kong.
According to the policy address, in addition to expanding the Science Park, the Shenzhen-Hong Kong Innovation and Technology Park and the Lok Ma Chau/Xintian area will be integrated into the "Xintian Science and Technology City".
Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor said that by then Hong Kong will have a great advantage in innovation and technology, which is believed to be comparable to Silicon Valley.
She specifically mentioned that the "14th Five-Year Plan" outlines that it aims at cutting-edge areas such as life and health. Hong Kong should respond to the needs of the country and take advantage of Hong Kong's advantages in life and health technology. It is recommended to establish a life and health innovation research center in the Hong Kong-Shenzhen Innovation and Technology Park. Focus on scientific research in related fields; "Xintian Science and Technology City" can provide land for related scientific research and advanced manufacturing.
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