Remarks by CE at media session before ExCo (with video)
Following are the remarks by the Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, at a media session before the Executive Council meeting today (December 3):
Reporter: I would like to ask about the enterprise agreement for the Northern Metropolis last Friday. What level of commitments does the Government seek from these businesses, and how can the Government ensure that the partnership is profitable for the property developers?
Chief Executive: One question about the Northern Metropolis - We are very confident in the development of the Northern Metropolis. We have organised visits and also discussions over the development plan of the Northern Metropolis. Particularly, we have been introducing and explaining to enterprises and investors the concept of three big pockets of land for development, in which case the investors will be given more flexibility and freedom to develop it according to their own timetable and overall plan. A bigger piece of land allows more flexibility and also allows development to be taken as a whole, so that the overall value of development can be enhanced.
This month, we will be rolling out measures to invite intention from interested investors and enterprises. In fact, I think the media knows that there was a signing ceremony last week involving over 80 enterprises and investors, who indicated their confidence in the development of the Northern Metropolis. What it means is that the Northern Metropolis is a development plan, which takes long periods of time; some straddle over 10, 15, or even up to 20 years. There are big opportunities there, because Hong Kong is being developed into different centres of excellence, and all these centres of excellence would mean industrialisation, new value creation, and also composite consideration for the overall development of Hong Kong, and these are all opportunities for investors and enterprises. Looking at the level of support that was shown last week, we are very confident that the Northern Metropolis development plan will invite and attract a lot of interest. In fact, if you look at the Northern Metropolis, we will be developing, first of all, the Loop (the Lok Ma Chau Loop) as an I&T (innovation and technology) model of success. We will be also developing the San Tin Technopole. There will also be a university town at different pockets of land. All these will add together to create extra value for Hong Kong, and all these projects will bring good return on investment. Thank you.
(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the remarks.)
SCMA visits Hungary to promote development opportunities in GBA
The Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs, Mr Erick Tsang Kwok-wai, and the Commissioner for the Development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, Ms Maisie Chan, are currently on duty visit to Hungary to promote the development opportunities of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA).
Mr Tsang arrived in Budapest, Hungary on May 15 (Hungary time) and called on the Chinese Ambassador to Hungary, Mr Gong Tao. Today (May 16) he met with the State Secretary for Bilateral Relations at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Hungary, Ms Boglárka Illés, and Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly of Hungary Dr Lajos Oláh, to share views on issues relating to the promotion of exchange and collaboration between Hong Kong and Hungary.
Mr Tsang also attended today the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area - Europe (Hungary) Economic and Trade Cooperation Exchange Conference jointly organised by the People's Government of Guangdong Province, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government and the Macao Special Administrative Region Government to promote the business opportunities brought about by the GBA to the European business community, and Hong Kong's position as a GBA's international entry point and roles as a "super connector" and "super value-adder". Speaking at the conference, he encouraged enterprises and talents to capitalise on Hong Kong's unique advantages of having staunch support of the motherland and being closely connected to the world by establishing foothold in the city and tapping into the huge market of the GBA, and to turn challenges into endless opportunities under the current international situation.
Mr Tsang emphasised that under "one country, two systems", Hong Kong would continue to maintain its status as a free port, implement a free trade policy, maintain the free flow of capital, goods, people and information, and firmly support a rules-based multilateral trading system.
Mr Tsang will depart for Cairo, Egypt, on May 17 to attend the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area - Africa (Egypt) Economic and Trade Cooperation Exchange Conference to be held there. He will return to Hong Kong on May 19.
SCMA visits Hungary to promote development opportunities in GBA Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
SCMA visits Hungary to promote development opportunities in GBA Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
SCMA visits Hungary to promote development opportunities in GBA Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
SCMA visits Hungary to promote development opportunities in GBA Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
SCMA visits Hungary to promote development opportunities in GBA Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
