LCQ14: Promoting development of innovation and technology as well as re-industrialisation

     Following is a question by Dr the Hon Lo Wai-kwok and a written reply by the Secretary for Innovation and Technology, Mr Alfred Sit, in the Legislative Council today (June 23):

Question:

     The development of an international innovation and technology (I&T) hub is one of the work focuses of the Outline Development Plan for the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. The Government has indicated that it will continue to strengthen the I&T ecosystem in Hong Kong. Apart from developing the Hong Kong-Shenzhen Innovation and Technology Park in the Lok Ma Chau Loop, the Government has reserved a total of over 100 hectares of lands near San Tin/Lok Ma Chau and the Liantang/Heung Yuen Wai Boundary Control Point for I&T-related development. On promoting the development of innovation and technology as well as re-industrialisation, will the Government inform this Council:

(1) of the details of the aforesaid lands, including locations, areas, expected uses, as well as the progress of the relevant planning work (set out in a table);

(2) of the measures put in place to expedite the planning work of such lands, so as to seize the opportunities brought by the development of the international I&T hub; and;

(3) whether it will commence long-term land planning in respect of I&T and re-industrialisation, so as to better support the long-term development of the relevant industries; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that?

Reply:

President,

     Innovation and technology (I&T) and re-industrialisation are the new driving forces of Hong Kong's development, which can bring new industries, create wealth, promote economic growth in Hong Kong, create quality employment opportunities, and enhance the competitiveness of Hong Kong. The Government attaches great importance to the long-term I&T development and has been actively cooperating with, including providing to the industrial sector with the land and development space needed. After consulting the Development Bureau, my reply regarding different parts of the question is as follows:

(1) and (2) In response to the increasing demand for land for research and development and re-industrialisation in Hong Kong, we will continue to actively provide land for short, medium and long-term development, and will work closely with various departments to expedite the planning progress of the land development.

     In the short to middle term, the Government is pressing ahead with the development of the 87-hectare Hong Kong-Shenzhen Innovation and Technology Park (HSITP) at the Lok Ma Chau Loop, in which the primary goal is to complete the eight buildings of Batch 1 development in phases from 2024; the Hong Kong Science Park in Tai Po, sitting on a 22-hectare site, is conducting a detailed study in respect of Phase 2 of the Science Park Expansion Programme, and it is expected that the first batch of works will be completed in phases from 2022 to 2024; the remaining sites within the Industrial Estates in Tseung Kwan O, Yuen Long and Tai Po will be developed by the Hong Kong Science and Technology Park Corporation (HKSTPC) according to the re-industrialisation policy; and Cyberport is rolling out its expansion programme, which involves construction of a new office building, with the construction works expected to complete in 2025 at the earliest. Apart from the aforementioned development projects, sites currently reserved for long term development with I&T uses are at the following table.

Sites currently reserved for I&T uses

	Site	Approximate site area	Latest position
Sites approved for I&T uses under Outline Zoning Plans
1.	Kwu Tung North New Development Area	17.5 hectares	Suitable sites have been zoned under Other Specified Uses annotated Research and Development (5.8 hectares) and Business and Technology Park (11.7 hectares) on the Outline Zoning Plan.
2.	Hung Shui Kiu / Ha Tsuen New Development Area	9 hectares	Suitable sites have been zoned under Other Specified Uses annotated Enterprise and Technology Park on the Outline Zoning Plan. Detailed land development plans are to be further studied.
Sites reserved for I&T uses but subject to further study
3.	Yuen Long Industrial Estate Extension at Wang Chau	15 hectares	The HKSTPC commenced a study on the engineering and technical feasibility in February 2019 to explore the mode of development of the site so as to cater for the admission of high-tech industries.
4.	Liantang / Heung Yuen Wai Boundary Control Point	56 hectares	The HKSTPC has conducted preliminary studies on the proposed site and plans to commence an engineering and technical feasibility study shortly, which is expected to be completed by the end of 2024.
5.	San Tin / Lok Ma Chau Development Node	57 hectares	In the Study on Phase One Development of New Territories North – San Tin/Lok Ma Chau Development Node – Feasibility Study, about 57 hectares of land have been reserved for the uses of enterprise and technology park, which are intended to complement or support the development of the HSITP in the Lok Ma Chau Loop for achieving synergy. Details of the land development plan and uses are to be finalised in the investigation study to be commenced this year.

(3) The "Hong Kong 2030+: Towards a Planning Vision and Strategy Transcending 2030" Study proposes to develop the Eastern Knowledge and Technology Corridor and the Northern Economic Belt respectively in the eastern and northern parts of the New Territories. In addition to the HSITP in the Lok Ma Chau Loop, the junction of the Corridor/Belt also includes the New Territories North strategic growth area to facilitate travels between Shenzhen and Eastern Guangdong. This is also in line with the Outline Development Plan for the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area under which the Central Government strongly supports Hong Kong-Shenzhen cooperation to build an international I&T centre. The Policy Innovation and Co-ordination Office has also appointed a Strategic Planning Advisor for Hong Kong/Shenzhen Co-operation to be responsible for the comprehensive expansion of the Hong Kong-Shenzhen boundary economy planning, as well as research and formulation of related strategies.

Relevant Government departments will consult the corresponding panels of the Legislative Council in a timely manner on the future planning of land reserved for I&T use.