Vision for HK must focus beyond border
The chief executive has outlined a vision for Hong Kong that is rather provocative. It raises the question of how many more people can be squeezed into one of the world's most densely populated places. Donald Tsang Yam-kuen says the city should aim at a population of 10 million, compared with 7 million now, in order to match New York and London as global financial centres.
Few would disagree that Hong Kong cannot allow its population to continue to age and then shrink and that it must grow to remain competitive. Nonetheless, a target of 10 million people is bound to raise fears about population density and land use, quality of life and the environment.
It should be seen firstly, however, as a guideline number suggested by economic goals. It reflects the fact that if Hong Kong wants to grow into a global financial centre, it needs to be able to draw on a bigger talent pool. What is more important than the number of people within its borders, however, is how the city can extend its economic reach to access that talent pool - in short, how to transform itself into a greater Hong Kong.
For examples of such a greater metropolis, we need look no further than either of New York or London. Both rely on massive intercity or even interstate commutes to tap surrounding populations for the human resources needed to sustain their daily business life.
Unlike New York and London, however, Hong Kong has a city border along the Shenzhen River that blocks mainlanders. The border is the barrier that prevents this city from becoming the destination for the country's best and brightest, as Beijing and Shanghai have become.
Under the 'one country, two systems' policy, there are legitimate reasons for the border to exist. For one thing, given wide disparities between the standards of living in Hong Kong and the mainland, immigration controls will be still necessary for the foreseeable future. In recent years, steps have been taken to allow more mainland professionals to come to augment our limited talent pool. But the number of arrivals remains small.
Without the border inhibition - it will cease to exist anyway after 2047 - a lot more talent from the mainland would converge on Hong Kong. The city's reach would extend to a greater Hong Kong embracing Shenzhen and even beyond. When the barriers come down, it is highly likely that many people would choose to live north of the Shenzhen River and commute to work in Hong Kong. Focusing on the strains of squeezing more people into Hong Kong, therefore, is a narrow perspective on Mr Tsang's remarks.
In any case, given visionary planning, the city is capable of accommodating 10 million people without unduly exacerbating overcrowding. Years ago, government planners considered how they might do so, focusing on development in the New Territories and better utilisation of land. And it should not be overlooked that the trend in shipping movements away from Hong Kong will open up land occupied by port facilities.
Mr Tsang concedes that his vision of a Hong Kong that ranks with London and New York is long term and poses difficult challenges. But he is right to emphasise now that an adequate supply of talent from around the world, particularly from the mainland, is crucial to the city's aspirations. Thinking and reaching beyond our physical limits towards a greater Hong Kong is the way forward.
