MR CHAN KIN-POR (in Cantonese): Thank you, President. According to the Hong Kong 2030+ study, the total land demand will be about 6 200 ha in Hong Kong by 2048. The Government has adopted a multi-pronged strategy and identified sufficient land though mainly relying on two key projects, including the Kau Yi Chau Artificial Islands and the Northern Metropolis which will provide 1 000 ha and around 3 000 ha of land respectively. As a matter of fact, in order to complement the overall development of the Greater Bay Area (“GBA”) and comprehensively take forward the grand plan of developing into the “eight centres”, Hong Kong will continuously need more land to support the overall development. Hong Kong should have the vision for long-term development and build a land reserve for future needs. We should not slow down the pace of planning because we have secured land now. Therefore, I am very grateful to Mrs Regina IP for proposing today’s motion which enables the Legislative Council to discuss this issue in a focused manner.
For many years, Hong Kong has been plagued by a shortage of land and housing. This has plunged the public into great difficulties and caused the economy and industries to remain stagnant. Now that the SAR Government is making vigorous efforts to build a strong administration, and as Hong Kong is free from the nightmare of filibustering by the opposition camp, long-term plans can be made to thoroughly resolve the deep-seated conflicts, and in particular, it is most important to ensure sufficient land supply in the long run. In fact, many experts are of the view that Hong Kong, being a cosmopolitan, must have a population of at least 10 million to spur development. Therefore, we should encourage childbearing on the one hand and attract talents on the other, and in order to support the development of Hong Kong, it is also essential to continuously create land and create capacity alike.
In the public engagement exercise or the “big debate” on land in 2018, the Government accepted the recommendations of the Task Force on Land Supply. I think the Government should continue to follow up the feasible proposals, and quite a number of the projects on the Lantau Island are worthy of further studies. Based on the principle of “Development in the North, Conservation for the South” on Lantau, there is still much room for development in North Lantau, including the Tung Chung New Town Extension which is already under way. Besides, we can look into reclamation near Sunny Bay and Siu Ho Wan, and there are also many rock caverns and underground space along the coast of North Lantau that can be developed. In the meantime, we can also explore whether there is more room for development in Mui Wo and Discovery Bay. Of course, we need to further look into the actual situation.
In fact, there are important strategic considerations in the development of Lantau Island. The Government is currently studying the construction of a cross-harbour railway connecting Hong Kong Island West with the artificial islands. It will pass through Sunny Bay and Tuen Mun East to reach the Hung Shui Kiu terminus for connection with the Hong Kong-Shenzhen Western Rail Link, arriving at Qianhai as the final destination. In other words, the new railway will link up the two core business districts (“CBDs”) on Hong Kong Island and the artificial islands, and then pass through North Lantau and the Northern Metropolis to directly reach GBA. Meanwhile, by passing through Sunny Bay, this railway will actually connect with the Chek Lap Kok airport. Obviously, this railway network will definitely become the main artery of Hong Kong’s economy in the future. A large number of enterprises will definitely move into the business district on the artificial islands, thus making this district a strategic base or even a bridgehead before entering Qianhai.
Having said that, the land to be available on the artificial islands is after all limited. If this area will become a base for forging ties with Qianhai and when GBA has made impressive achievements in the future, both Chinese and foreign enterprises will scramble to move in, and surely the land on the artificial islands will not be sufficient. If that happens, North Lantau will be able to provide support. Located in the vicinity of the artificial islands and with its railway and road connections, North Lantau can actually be developed and planned together with the artificial islands in an integrated, coordinated manner. Therefore, not only should the Government continue to create land, it should also further utilize the land in North Lantau to create a greater capacity for the new CBD.
President, Hong Kong has indeed encountered some difficulties at the moment but I believe that this is an inevitable path to achieve industrial upgrading and transformation in Hong Kong. We must persevere in development, plan well head with a long-term vision, and implement various development programmes with unswerving determination, in an effort to continuously promote the upgrading and restructuring of our economy and industries. Hong Kong can certainly be reborn like a phoenix rising from ashes.
Thank you, President.