HONG KONG – Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor unveiled during her widely awaited fifth Policy Address on Wednesday a major development plan to turn the northern areas of Hong Kong into a metropolis that could provide up to 926,000 homes while helping integrate further the SAR into national development.

In opening her address, Lam said the National Security Law and the improved electoral system of the HKSAR have ushered in a new era and it is time to strive ahead with renewed perseverance and plan for the future of Hong Kong.

"The promulgation and implementation of the National Security Law has provided a timely curb on the chaos in the city, while 'patriots administering Hong Kong' has been ensured under the improved electoral system of the HKSAR," Lam said.

"In this process, the central government has shown its firm commitment and stayed true to its original aspiration in the implementation of "one country, two systems'," she added.

Improving 'one country, two systems'

To safeguard national security, Lam said Secretary for Security Chris Tang Ping-keung is drawing up "effective and pragmatic" proposals to "prevent those who are opposed to China and attempt to destabilize Hong Kong from taking advantage of the situation to mislead the public with ill intentions."

She added that other issues that need to be addressed include combating fake news and safeguarding cyber security.

Lam said the Constitutional and Mainland Affairs Bureau will work closely with the Electoral Affairs Commission to ensure that the two upcoming elections — the LegCo election and the Chief Executive election — are conducted in a fair, open and honest manner to fully implementing the principle of "patriots administering Hong Kong".

Northern Metropolis

Lam proposed to develop the northern part of Hong Kong into an international I&T hub "ideal for people to live, work and travel" under the Northern Metropolis Development Strategy.

"We should create more land resources for residential use and the development of industries. With an area of 300 square kilometers, the proposed metropolis covers from the west to the east the Shenzhen-Hong Kong Boundary Control Points Economic Belt, as well as the deeper hinterlands," Lam said.

The Northern Metropolis covers two district administration areas including Yuen Long District and North District, with a total land area of about 300 square kilometers.

She said the area is well-positioned to share the fruits of the integrated development of Hong Kong and Shenzhen, and will better facilitate Hong Kong's integration into the overall development of the country.

On the other hand, the harbor metropolis supporting Hong Kong's status as an international financial center will be expanded to include the reclaimed land of the Kau Yi Chau Artificial Islands under the Lantau Tomorrow Vision.

"The two metropolises located in the north and south of Hong Kong will provide massive land and enhance the spatial layout of Hong Kong. These two metropolises, spearheading their respective economic engines and complementing each other, will drive the future development of Hong Kong," Lam said.

She said a number of development projects planned in the Northern Metropolis are estimated to provide about 350,000 residential units.

"An additional 600 hectares of land or so could be developed within the Northern Metropolis for residential and industry purposes, with an estimated provision of about 165,000 to 186,000 residential units," Lam said.

"Upon the full development of the entire Northern Metropolis, a total of 905,000 to 926,000 residential units, including the existing 390,000 residential units in Yuen Long District and North District, will be available to accommodate a population of about 2.5 million," she added.