Hong Kong lawmakers kick-start plan for metropolis on artificial islands by approving Lantau Tomorrow Vision feasibility studies funding

Unhindered by opposition, committee approves release of cash to assess huge island-building plan for new settlement off Lantau

Megaproject’s price tag, potential environmental threat has made Carrie Lam’s flagship policy a highly contentious issue

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The Lantau scheme is Carrie Lam’s signature policy. Photo: Dickson Lee

Published: 7:03pm, 4 Dec 2020Updated: 11:42pm, 4 Dec 2020

Hong Kong’s legislature has approved a HK$550 million (US$71 million) funding request to conduct feasibility studies for building a huge settlement on artificial islands that would be the city’s costliest ever infrastructure project.

The Legislative Council’s Finance Committee voted 33 to two on Friday in favour of releasing the cash to kick-start the Lantau Tomorrow Vision, the city leader’s signature policy which has caused controversy since it was tabled in 2018.

The funding bid passed easily and without incident following last month’s mass resignation of opposition lawmakers, who had previously vowed to disrupt proceedings.

Two lawmakers abstained while the pair who voted against were Cheng Chung-tai, the only remaining opposition member, and Pierre Chan, who is not affiliated to either camp.

The proposed HK$624 billion scheme aims to build 1,000 hectares of man-made land in waters east of Lantau Island, and a new transport network, to create from scratch a new Hong Kong business district and housing hub.

Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor argues the project is key to solving the city’s chronic shortage of land and affordable housing, which Beijing deems a “deep-seated” problem and a cause of last year’s social unrest.