The Director of the Hong Kong and Macao Work Office of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council, Xia Baolong, concluded his two-day inspection visit to Hong Kong on June 17 and returned to Shenzhen via the Shenzhen Bay Port, accompanied by Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu and other officials, according to the report.
On the second day of the visit, Xia visited the new Huanggang Port to learn about its redevelopment. Xia then visited Kwai Chung Container Terminal 8 to understand the latest developments in Hong Kong's shipping industry. The National 15th Five-Year Plan Outline explicitly supports Hong Kong in consolidating and enhancing its status as an international shipping center. During his visit, the Secretary for Transport and Logistics, Mable Chan, briefed Xia on the situation at the ports. He also exchanged views with the industry practitioners. Xia later met with Lee and principal officials at Government House, where he also held discussions with community representatives to exchange views.
Speaking to the media, John Lee said Xia offered six valuable recommendations:
Support for Light Public Housing (LPH): Xia expressed strong support for, and recognition of, the role of LPH. Lee said that during Xia's earlier visit to a family in the Yau Yuk Road LPH project in Yuen Long, Xia was pleased to see improvements in living conditions and the children's happiness, and he affirmed that the initiative responds to urgent housing needs while demonstrating the SAR government's determination to tackle problems through innovation.
Recognition of the Lok Ma Chau emergency hospital's expanded use: Xia praised the SAR government for making good use of the Central Government-aided Hong Kong emergency hospital in the Lok Ma Chau Loop—keeping it as a standby facility for respiratory infectious diseases while also using it to provide daytime medical services, thereby shortening waiting times and delivering direct benefits to residents.
Affirmation of the Kwu Tung North and Fanling North New Development Area: Xia endorsed the planning, design, and construction of the Kwu Tung North New Development Area, saying it provides comprehensive supporting facilities for integrated community development and gives residents better living and development space.
Positioning the Northern Metropolis as a major development priority: Xia stated that it is a key focus and an important new engine for Hong Kong's development.
Support for developing the "University Town District" concept: Xia agreed with Lee's proposal to develop a "University Town District" to enrich the university town's content and promote higher-quality development.
Guidance on Hong Kong's first five-year plan: After hearing the SAR government's briefing on drafting Hong Kong's first five-year plan, Xia said the plan should be a directional, strategic and actionable guiding document that sets out Hong Kong's development direction for the next five years. Lee said the annual Policy Address will set targets and report progress in line with the plan, with each policy bureau participating in consultations and Lee personally leading related engagement efforts.
John Lee also said Xia gave four affirmations: the SAR government's determination and progress on the first five-year plan; efforts to safeguard national security; Hong Kong's economic development; and progress in innovation and technology.
Lee added that the visit brought him four key inspirations: to press ahead with compiling the five-year plan and seize opportunities under the national 15th Five-Year Plan, consolidate and enhance Hong Kong's roles as an international financial, shipping and trade centre, accelerate building an international innovation and technology hub, and strengthen Hong Kong's position as a high-end talent hub; to further speed up Northern Metropolis development through measures such as attracting industries, pursuing a "proactive government plus efficient market" model and developing Northern Metropolis-specific legislation; to expand planning for the university town into a broader 1,000-hectare-plus "University Town District" concept; and to accelerate development of the Hong Kong Park of the Hetao Shenzhen–Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Cooperation Zone, including completing remaining buildings by the end of 2026 and rolling out additional tenders for other parcels.
(Source: Wen Wei Po)
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