Remarks by FS at media session after attending Legislative Council Ante Chamber Exchange Session
The Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan, met the media this morning (February 4) with Principal Officials, the President's Deputy of the Legislative Council, Mr Chan Chun-ying, and Chairmen of Legislative Council Panels, after attending the Legislative Council Ante Chamber Exchange Session. Following are the remarks by Mr Paul Chan:
Reporter: What did you make of the earlier exchange sessions with the lawmakers? And as the Chief Executive said yesterday, Hong Kong will make its first Five-Year Plan following the 15th Five-Year Plan in Beijing, what are the intended directions on how to align with the nation's development goals? How will Hong Kong implement the relevant policies and will your Budget that comes out later this month seek to roll out policies that also align with the nation's directions?
Financial Secretary: The discussion just now in the Ante Chamber focused on the 15th Five-Year Plan of the country. The recommendations for the 15th Five-Year Plan were set out last October. The final Plan will be released in March during the Two Sessions in Beijing. On the basis of those recommendations, in preparing the Budget, we have been taking into full consideration the future role of Hong Kong in aligning with, and making contributions to, the overall national development. During that process, Hong Kong will also benefit. For example, going forward - apart from being an international financial centre and international trade centre, technology and innovation will be a major driver of future economic growth.
And the 15th Five-Year Plan puts emphasis on technological self-reliance, as well as deeply integrating technology with industrial development. These are also of high reference value for Hong Kong as we work to diversify our economic structure and create more quality jobs for our people. At the same time, it is also necessary to use technology to upgrade and empower different sectors. It is the policy of the Government to embrace technologies and apply them, in particular AI, across different sectors. In the upcoming Budget, content will certainly be devoted to this to outline the future economic direction of Hong Kong.
For the five-year planning for Hong Kong to be led by the Chief Executive, it is indeed a great move. Going forward, the development of Hong Kong will count on the strong support of the Central Authorities, and the competitive advantages of Hong Kong as an international financial, trade and technology centre. We have a very big hinterland, which is a 1.4 billion-people market, as well as a vibrant technology and industry chain. We need to leverage these advantages to support our future growth. In the Budget, we'll also cover this aspect. Thank you.
(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the remarks.)
The Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan, met the media this morning, Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
The Legislative Council Ante Chamber Exchange Session, Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
LegCo Members visit Kwu Tung North New Development Area in Northern Metropolis
The following is issued on behalf of the Legislative Council Secretariat:
The President of Legislative Council (LegCo), Dr Starry Lee, as well as members of LegCo Panel on Development and other Members conducted the third visit to the Northern Metropolis (NM) today (September 10) to gain insight into the latest planning and development of the Kwu Tung North (KTN) New Development Area (NDA), the efforts to conserve the ecology of and historic buildings in NM, and the Administration's measures to promote urban-rural integration.
Accompanied by the Secretary for Development, Ms Bernadette Linn, and the Secretary for Housing, Ms Winnie Ho, Members first observed the construction sites of the public housing estate Kwu Chun Estate, several private housing projects, and the MTR Kwu Tung Station at the newly constructed Road P1 in the KTN NDA. They were also briefed by the Administration on the overall planning and development concepts of the KTN NDA, as well as the latest development progress of housing, transport infrastructure, and the Government joint-user complex and general office building in the district.
Members learnt that Kwu Chun Estate is among the first batch of public rental housing projects in the NDAs of the NM, with phase one comprising about 5 000 units that will be ready for intake in phases starting from the third quarter of this year. The Kwu Tung Station is also expected to commence service in 2027. Members exchanged views with government officials on the construction of community facilities, such as markets, shopping centres, public transport facilities and schools in the NDA, and urged the Administration to ensure that community facilities are in place when residents start to move in to meet the needs of local residents.
Members also visited the Sik Sik Yuen Lady Ho Tung Welfare Centre Eco-Learn Institute in Kwu Tung. Built in 1933, the Lady Ho Tung Welfare Centre provided medical services to local villagers until its closure in 2005. The Centre was subsequently accorded Grade II historic building status, and then revitalised into an ecological learning institute in 2023. Members toured the ecology and cultural history exhibition hall and the outdoor areas, which features facilities including an eco-pond and a Chinese medical herbs garden. Members were also briefed by the Administration on policies regarding revitalisation and conservation of historic buildings, as well as the revitalisation and conservation process of the Institute.
Accompanied by the Acting Secretary for Environment and Ecology, Miss Diane Wong, Members also visited the Long Valley Nature Park and the nearby Yin Kong Village to learn about the Government's efforts to promote urban-rural integration and ecological conservation in the NM. Members noted that, to promote urban-rural integration in the NM, the Governmentproposed establishing a $200 million "NM Urban-Rural Integration Fund" as a pilot scheme to support non-governmental organisations to take forward urban-rural integration projects, as well as piloting the relaxation of planning restrictions on "Village Type Development" in Yin Kong Village, allowing houses within the village to be converted into restaurants, retail shops or guesthouses, with a view to boosting economic activities in villages and tourism development.
Members welcomed the Administration's implementation of various measures to promote integration of villages and NDAs when planning the NDAs in the NM. They exchanged views with the representatives of the Government on how to assist villagers in retrofitting their houses for engaging in economic activities, as well as the infrastructure upgrading works, such as transport and sewerage, required to cope with the additional economic activities.
A total of 64 Members attended the visit. In addition to members of the Panel on Development, other non-members also attended.
Click here to watch the video highlight of today's visit.
LegCo Members visit Kwu Tung North New Development Area in Northern Metropolis Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
LegCo Members visit Kwu Tung North New Development Area in Northern Metropolis Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
LegCo Members visit Kwu Tung North New Development Area in Northern Metropolis Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
LegCo Members visit Kwu Tung North New Development Area in Northern Metropolis Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
LegCo Members visit Kwu Tung North New Development Area in Northern Metropolis Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
LegCo Members visit Kwu Tung North New Development Area in Northern Metropolis Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
