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Paul Chan
Hong KongPolitics

Finance chief raises possibility of more people living in ‘Greater Bay Area’ and commuting to Hong Kong

Affordable property prices and convenient transport cited following high-profile visit to Pearl River Delta region over the border

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Financial Secretary Paul Chan returned on Friday from a visit to the ‘Greater Bay Area’ with a delegation of Hong Kong officials and advisers. Photo: Xiaomei Chen
Phila Siu

Hong Kong’s finance chief suggested that living in the “Greater Bay Area”, where property prices are much cheaper than those in the city, and commuting to Hong Kong for work was an option many people could consider.

Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po made the remarks following a high-profile visit to the area led by Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying.

But he did not specify whether he meant Hongkongers should move to the area to take advantage of its relatively low property prices or whether mainlanders could use it as a base and commute daily to the city for work.

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Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying (centre) led the delegation to the Pearl River Delta. Photo: Dickson Lee
Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying (centre) led the delegation to the Pearl River Delta. Photo: Dickson Lee

Appearing on a Commercial Radio programme on Sunday, Chan said transportation in the area would become more convenient.

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“Wages have in fact increased sharply [on the mainland]. Will Hong Kong teenagers or middle-management personnel be interested in working for mainland companies that offer relatively good prospects?” he asked.

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