Inspection can boost integration with national development strategies
(PROVIDED TO CHINA DAILY)
Xia Baolong, head of the Hong Kong and Macao Work Office of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, began a two-day inspection tour of Hong Kong on Tuesday, focusing on the city’s alignment with the national 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-30) and the development of the Northern Metropolis.
Xia, who is also director of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council, was accompanied by senior local officials, including Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu, during his field visits to key projects spanning industry, innovation, education, and people’s livelihoods.
The central government official arrived in Hong Kong on Tuesday morning via the Shenzhen Bay Port.
READ MORE: Xia to visit HK starting Tuesday
His first stop was the Hung Shui Kiu/Ha Tsuen New Development Area Community Liaison Centre, as well as the site of the Northern Metropolis University Town in the same area. These projects are critical exhibition infrastructure and educational initiatives supporting the expansion of Hong Kong’s northwestern region.
Xia then inspected Yau Pok Road estate, a light public housing project in Yuen Long, before moving on to the Microelectronics Centre at Yuen Long InnoPark. The facility aims to boost microelectronics innovation and third-generation semiconductor production.
In the afternoon, the officials visited Kwu Chun Estate, which is still under construction and will, when completed, be one of the first public housing estates in the Kwu Tung North New Development Area in Sheung Shui. They also toured the Hong Kong Park of the Hetao Shen- zhen-Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Cooperation Zone, the Central Government-aided Emergency Hospital, and the AsiaWorld-Expo — where Xia learned about Hong Kong’s “mega-event economy” campaign.
During the visit, local officials briefed Xia on project progress, and detailed transport infrastructure plans for the new towns and other technological landmarks, such as the Sandy Ridge Data Facility Cluster.
Hong Kong Secretary for Housing Winnie Ho Wing-yin told the media that Xia was pleased with improvements in residents’ living conditions and rental arrangements at Yau Pok Road estate.
The large-scale public housing project, based on a modular integrated construction (MIC) approach with standardized designs, became available for occupancy in March 2025 and is now fully occupied.
Ho said she had explained to Xia that the MIC had enabled the city to rapidly build and deliver 30,000 units, with components manufactured in factories in nearby cities such as Zhuhai, Huizhou and Jiangmen within the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. She added that visiting officials were keen to see how the large factories, mechanized with robotics, help address Hong Kong’s housing challenge.
The officials also visited a family of four, who were among the first residents to move into the light public estate. The family has lived there for over a year and is now preparing to move into standard public housing.
ALSO READ: Xia begins HK visit to inspect Northern Metropolis progress
The family said Xia showed an interest in how their living conditions have improved. Previously, they lived in a subdivided flat of about 120 square feet, paying over HK$6,000 ($766) a month, including utilities. Now, their rental costs have been greatly reduced, and their living environment has markedly improved — with better air quality, more space for the children to study and play, and enhanced transport links.
Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry Sun Dong said Xia commended progress on tech projects within the new towns, such as the Hetao cooperation zone. Xia also called on Hong Kong to make the most of the “precious window of opportunity” to accelerate the city’s growth, leveraging the benefits of the nation’s 15th Five-Year Plan, Sun said.
Contact the writers at gangwen@chinadailyhk.com
