Steering Group on Integration into National Development and Steering Committee on Northern Metropolis hold first meetings
14.12.2022

The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, chaired on two consecutive days the first meetings of the Steering Group on Integration into National Development and the Steering Committee on the Northern Metropolis, which were announced in the Policy Address, to fully implement and reflect the goal of improving the governance systems on various fronts as reflected in the Policy Address. As Chairperson of the Steering Group on Integration into National Development, Mr Lee hosted its first meeting yesterday (December 13). Joining the meeting were the Chief Secretary for Administration, the Financial Secretary and the Secretary for Justice as the three deputies, all Deputy Secretaries of Departments and relevant Directors of Bureaux, etc. The Steering Group provides steer on the policies and measures for promoting Hong Kong's active integration into national development, including to actively dovetail with the national strategies such as the 14th Five-Year Plan, the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area development and high-quality development of the Belt and Road Initiative. It also presses ahead with initiatives across bureaux and provides steer from a strategic and macro perspective, and enhances communications with Mainland authorities. The meeting focused on the discussion of the key and priority policies and initiatives for Hong Kong to dovetail with the national strategies. Speaking at the meeting, Mr Lee said that the Steering Group and its Subgroups will formulate and implement various policy initiatives adhering to the principle of being proactive and pragmatic, and achieving mutual benefits with the Mainland, with a view to enhancing Hong Kong's active integration into the national development, grasping the opportunities brought by our country's development, and creating strong impetus for the growth of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. Besides, Mr Lee chaired the first meeting of the Steering Committee on the Northern Metropolis today (December 14). Members of the Steering Committee include three Secretaries of Departments, the Deputy Financial Secretary and relevant Directors of Bureaux, etc.. The Steering Committee agreed on the actions required for the formulation of a concrete plan and an action agenda for the Northern Metropolis next year as committed in the Policy Address. Mr Lee said in the meeting that the Northern Metropolis was strategically important to Hong Kong's future as it could bring about quality living, economic vitality and better integration with Shenzhen and other cities in the Greater Bay Area. Its successful and smooth implementation would require the concerted effort amongst all bureaux and departments. The Steering Committee would strengthen the governance system for the development of the area by providing high-level policy steer and supervision and overseeing collaboration with relevant Mainland authorities. He said that members of the Steering Committee must press ahead with initiatives to expedite the development of Northern Metropolis on all fronts, adding that various departments must also strengthen co-ordination to further enhance the speed, efficiency and quantity for the development of the Northern Metropolis. During the meeting, members of the Steering Committee discussed and agreed on the actions required of relevant bureau for formulation of the action agenda and implementation plan, including the need to formulate industry policies and associated land disposal methods, proposals for landmark developments covering key public facilities, relevant land requirements for industries and landmark developments, implementation programme, etc. at the earliest opportunity. The meeting also noted the good progress of work that has been made for development of the Northern Metropolis so far. As announced in the 2022 Policy Address, the Steering Committee together with the Advisory Committee on the Northern Metropolis to be led by the Financial Secretary with representatives from outside Government, and a dedicated department to be set up to coordinate implementation across bureaux/departments, form the institutional set-up for taking forward the Northern Metropolis developments. The Deputy Financial Secretary will also lead Hong Kong side in a joint task force with relevant Mainland authorities for regular communication on matters relating to Northern Metropolis. Ends/Wednesday, December 14, 2022 Issued at HKT 20:11 NNNN