Hong Kong to seek HK$30 billion to start building San Tin Technopole amid judicial challenge
Authorities have also sought to open bidding for the first of three land parcels within the Northern Metropolis next year, minister says
Hong Kong authorities will seek about HK$30 billion (US$3.86 billion) in funding for the first-stage development of a technology hub near the border with mainland China despite an ongoing legal challenge to the project.
Secretary for Development Bernadette Linn Hon-ho also revealed on Saturday that the government sought to open bidding next year for the first of three land parcels to be developed under a pilot model within the Northern Metropolis, a massive development housing the San Tin Technopole near the border.
Authorities will request about HK$30 billion in funding from the Legislative Council’s Finance Committee to carry out site formation and infrastructure works for the first stage of development of the San Tin Technopole, according to a document submitted to lawmakers on Saturday.
The first round of the tech hub’s development will cover about 158 hectares, including around 43 hectares for innovation and technology and roughly 8.5 hectares for logistics, and provide 5,500 to 6,000 public housing flats. Residents are expected to begin moving in from 2031.
The site formation and infrastructure works would be carried out between this year and 2031, according to the document.
The San Tin Technopole project will occupy more than 600 hectares of land earmarked for the Northern Metropolis, a new business and residential area to be built on 30,000 hectares.