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Opinion | John Lee’s first policy address must turn visions of a Northern Metropolis tech hub into a realistic plan
- New infrastructure does not mean that technological innovation will automatically follow
- We will need incentives to draw tech talent to live and work in the area, and policies that encourage research and collaboration
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Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu is preparing to deliver his first policy address on October 19. Beyond depictions of a rosy future for our city, it’s vital that we see some concrete measures put forward.
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Last year’s address laid out plans for a new mega-project, the Northern Metropolis, complete with a Silicon-Valley-style tech hub, the San Tin Technopole. This year, we need ways to materialise this vision.
The Northern Metropolis won’t be a replica of our existing sprawling harbourside metropolis. We are trying to transform virtually bare land not only into an area fit for living and working, but into a world-class innovation and technology (I&T) hub. The Northern Metropolis is expected to house industries offering 650,000 high-paying jobs, with one quarter of them in the I&T sector.
Indeed, we are trying to create another legacy for Hong Kong, which is obviously no easy task. Yet we are lucky enough to be witnessing China’s rapid tech development and, with the blessing of Beijing, Hong Kong will be its international I&T hub. We cannot afford to miss this opportunity.
By joining hands with Shenzhen and other Greater Bay Area cities, we can streamline cross-border market access and strengthen supply chain integration with the mainland. The Lok Ma Chau Loop, which together with Shenzhen’s Futian district forms “one zone, two parks”, can be the pilot area for such integration.
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For example, with the mainland considering easing restrictions on cross-border data flow, we can start by making the Lok Ma Chau Loop the pilot zone for data sharing.
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