District governance: Estate upgrades put focus on well-being

On a hot summer’s day, elderly residents sit chatting under the shade of some large trees – a simple scene of community harmony facilitated by the recent completion of the first phase of improvement works at Mei Lam Estate in Sha Tin.

Fresh look: An old fountain area in Mei Lam Estate has been transformed into an open area completed with walkways and lighting under the first phase of planned refurbishment works. Image source: www.news.gov.hk

Under the Housing Authority’s well-being design pretest – a key step in applying the Well-Being Design Guide launched in 2024 by the authority and the Housing Bureau – the estate’s old fountain area has been transformed into an open area known as Heartland Plaza. The project team removed old fencing around the fountain structure, updated lighting features and added walkways and social seating, thereby creating an accessible space in which residents can walk, relax and connect with nature.

The upgrades also involved establishing a “tree walk”, with informative tags giving residents the chance to learn about the various species around them.

“Since opening, Heartland Plaza has come alive again with residents of all ages,” remarked Housing Department Senior Maintenance Surveyor Raymond Tse. “We are delighted to see some elderly residents relaxing under the tree shade, while younger residents stroll along the path.”

Savouring nature: Housing Department Senior Maintenance Surveyor Raymond Tse explains that Heartland Plaza features a “tree walk”, with informative tags giving residents the chance to learn about local species around them. Image source: www.news.gov.hk

Community co-creation

Mr Tse outlined that the revitalisation project moves beyond traditional upgrades by placing community participation at the heart of the design process.

“In our past renovation projects, we mainly focused on hardware improvements, but for Mei Lam Estate, which is a pilot project under the 'Well-being' initiative, we emphasise community co-creation.

“We want to co-create with our residents so that we could ensure our design could meet the genuine needs of our residents.”

Social seating: Upon completion of the improvement works, residents often gather to relax under the shade of large trees at Heartland Plaza, fostering warmer neighbourhood ties. Image source: www.news.gov.hk

Learning opportunities

To deepen local involvement, the project team invited school pupils who had previously participated in workshops to join a planting activity during the plaza’s opening ceremony.

Free Methodist Mei Lam Primary School student Susie Chan expressed pride in contributing to her neighborhood. “I feel like I have a huge sense of achievement in helping Mei Lam Estate feel greener, and I really want people to know how eco-friendly this place is,” she said, adding that she looks forward to enjoying the plants with her classmates in the new space.

Her schoolmate, Ng Cheuk-ting said the planting activity had been a memorable and meaningful experience.

School Affairs Mistress Tess Tse highlighted that the event offered a practical lesson in citizenship while opening up future outdoor learning opportunities.

“Teaming up with district councillors and the District Services & Community Care Team for this planting activity is a real-life lesson in citizenship. It shows our students that a strong, happy community does not happen by accident. This awesome space is perfect for learning outdoors. We are already making plans to use it for all kinds of activities, like observing plants for general studies, outdoor sketching for art class, and even hosting community service events.”

Youth participation: Free Methodist Mei Lam Primary School pupils Susie Chan (second left) and Ng Cheuk-ting (second right) join their teacher Tess Tse (centre) and other schoolmates for a planting activity at Heartland Plaza. Image source: www.news.gov.hk

Beautification works

To create a welcoming atmosphere right at the estate’s entrance, the project team also collaborated with the Highways Department to beautify nearby flyover piers with vibrant art murals.

The Well-being Design Guide was devised with estate refurbishment projects in mind, and Mei Lam Estate was selected as one of five pilot estates under the well-being design pretest. The Heartland Plaza and flyover piers beautification works mark the project’s first phase.

According to Mr Tse, since the initiative launched, over 40 estates have been identified for improvement works, with many having already completed facade beautification and other upgrades that have gained positive feedback from residents.

Local character: In collaboration with the Highways Department, the project team beautified nearby flyover piers at the entrance to Mei Lam Estate with murals featuring some of the neighborhood’s distinctive features. Image source: www.news.gov.hk

“In the future, we will continue to select suitable estates for improvement works annually,” he said. “We will continue to bring well-being to our residents by some simple and heartwarming designs.”

CE meets Chairman of China Securities Regulatory Commission

The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, today (August 2) met with the Chairman of the China Securities Regulatory Commission, Mr Wu Qing, at Government House to exchange views on deepening the mutual access between Hong Kong and Mainland financial markets. The Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan; the Acting Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Mr Joseph Chan; the Chairman of the Securities and Futures Commission of Hong Kong (SFC), Dr Kelvin Wong; and the Chief Executive Officer of the SFC, Ms Julia Leung, also attended the meeting.

Mr Lee welcomed Mr Wu and his delegation to Hong Kong. He said that Hong Kong enjoys unique advantages of having strong support of the motherland and being closely connected to the world under the "one country, two systems" principle, and possesses a highly internationalised market environment and mature financial infrastructure. The National 15th Five-Year Plan supports Hong Kong in consolidating and enhancing its status as an international financial centre, strengthening its functions as a global offshore Renminbi (RMB) business hub, an international asset and wealth management centre, and an international risk management centre. The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government is pressing ahead at full speed with the preparation of Hong Kong's First Five-Year Plan, and is fully committed to its formulation to proactively seize the opportunities brought by the development of the country, continuously advance the high-quality development of Hong Kong as an international financial centre, and support the high-level opening up of the Mainland's financial markets.

Mr Lee said that global demand for RMB in trade finance, investment and reserves is steadily rising. Hong Kong, as a hub for global offshore RMB transactions and financial activities, with the world's largest offshore pool of RMB funds, has been actively advancing the upgrading of its financial infrastructure, product innovation and market expansion in various key areas. He was pleased to note that the launch of Mainland government bond futures in Hong Kong tomorrow (August 3) provides an effective offshore risk management tool for investors, and helps attract international investors to participate in the Mainland bond market and to hold RMB treasury bonds on a long-term basis. This is a key step in enhancing the RMB product ecosystem, and further consolidates Hong Kong's status as the world's offshore RMB business hub. Mr Lee thanked the Central People's Government and relevant Mainland regulators for their continued support, and said that he looked forward to further deepening co-operation with the Mainland and enhancing the liquidity of offshore RMB to facilitate the prudent and solid advancement of the RMB's internationalisation.

Mr Lee said that the HKSAR Government will continue to work closely with Mainland regulators to jointly implement pragmatic measures to deepen co-operation between the two markets. Hong Kong will continue to expand the mutual access between Hong Kong and Mainland financial markets, building on the existing foundations of Stock Connect, Bond Connect and Cross-boundary Wealth Management Connect, to offer a wide range of investment and risk management products to the market. Hong Kong and the Mainland will achieve complementary advantages and promote synergistic development and product innovation in the financial markets to contribute to the development of the country as a financial powerhouse.

CE meets Chairman of China Securities Regulatory Commission Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases