Beijing’s point man for Hong Kong to visit city on Tuesday, check on Northern Metropolis
Hong Kong government says Xia Baolong to gauge city’s alignment with national five-year plan and development of Northern Metropolis
The Hong Kong government announced on Monday morning that Xia Baolong, director of the Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office, would visit the city for two days.
“[Xia will] inspect Hong Kong’s alignment with the national 15th five-year plan and the advancement of the Northern Metropolis,” it said, referring to the megaproject to turn 30,000 hectares (74,131 acres) of land into an economic growth engine and housing hub.
The top official’s visit comes just a day after the launch of a two-month public consultation on Hong Kong’s first five-year plan, which aims to integrate the city into broader national development.
Sources said Xia aimed to assess the local government’s progress in drafting the plan and explore ways to strengthen cooperation among Greater Bay Area cities.
“The Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Cooperation Zone in Lok Ma Chau will be one of his stops,” an insider said, adding that Xia would be accompanied by Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu.