Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam will not let recession or property slump delay controversial Lantau Tomorrow Vision plan

Chief executive signals determination to push ahead with signature policy that will cost hundreds of billions of dollars

Lam insists stalling project would have serious consequences but does not say what those might be

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Artificial islands off Lantau will be built near Peng Chau and Sunshine Island. Photo: Martin Chan

Published: 1:35pm, 20 Oct 2020Updated: 11:32pm, 20 Oct 2020

Hong Kong’s leader has said her determination to boost land supply would not be stalled by the global recession or a slump in the property market, insisting there could be serious consequences in doing so, without specifying what they might be.

Speaking at a media briefing on Tuesday, Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor said the government would continue with its plans to boost land supply, which includes her Lantau Tomorrow Vision project, a controversial scheme to build a new metropolis on artificial islands at a cost of hundreds of billions of dollars and potentially irreversible environmental damage.

Officials were expected to approach lawmakers this Friday for funding to carry out a preliminary study.

In an interview published on Monday, Lam said it was difficult to create new land amid the current political atmosphere, and public concerns over conservation.

Chief Executive Carrie Lam at a media briefing on Tuesday. Photo: May Tse

“The determination of this term of government would not be changed or adjusted because of the economic downturn and possible decrease in property prices,” she said.