New 'East Lantau Metropolis' set to become a core business area

An "East Lantau Metropolis" could rise from the sea between Hong Kong and Lantau islands over the next 50 years, with the government looking at the possibility of reclaiming more than 1,000 hectares of land, government sources said.

One said the new metropolis would be similar in size to the city's airport island.

A real estate adviser said it could house outlet malls.

The sources made clear the scale of the plan after Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying unveiled the idea in his speech. He said: "It will become a core business district in addition to Central and Kowloon East for promoting economic development and providing job opportunities."

A government source said the new metropolis would be in a strategic location, and able to be connected by bridges or tunnels with Western District on Hong Kong Island, Lantau Island and parts of the western New Territories such as Tuen Mun.

The source said the Development Bureau would start a feasibility study by June, to be completed by 2017.

To prepare an economic and social development strategy for Lantau, Leung said he would establish a Lantau Development Advisory Committee.