SCMA visits North District (with photos)

     The Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs, Mr Patrick Nip, visited North District this afternoon (June 22), meeting with members of the North District Council (NDC) and visiting a family in the district. He also went to Lok Ma Chau to see for himself the development plan of the Lok Ma Chau Loop area.

     Accompanied by the District Officer (North), Mr Chong Wing-wun, Mr Nip met with the Chairman of the NDC, Mr So Sai-chi, and members of the NDC to exchange views on district and community matters.

     Mr Nip then visited a family in Ching Ho Estate in Sheung Shui. He chatted with the family members to learn about their daily life and listened to their views on the support facilities in the district. He also showed his care about the integration of new arrivals in society and children's schooling in North District.

     After the home visit, Mr Nip went to Lok Ma Chau to see for himself the development of the Loop area and was briefed by officers from the Civil Engineering and Development Department and the Planning Department on the development plan.

     The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government and the Shenzhen Municipal Government are jointly developing the Lok Ma Chau Loop area into the Hong Kong-Shenzhen Innovation and Technology Park. The Park will be a key base for scientific research collaboration, with provision of related higher education, cultural and creative workspaces and other complementary facilities.

     Mr Nip said, "The HKSAR Government and the Guangdong Provincial Government have earlier reached a consensus on the key work plan to take forward the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Bay Area. Building the Bay Area into an 'international innovation and technology hub' is one of the main items.

     "I believe that the Hong Kong-Shenzhen Innovation and Technology Park, which is being jointly developed by Hong Kong and Shenzhen, will combine the unique advantages of the two places, and attract top-notch enterprises, research institutions and higher education institutes from the Mainland and other parts of the world to be stationed there. The Park will bring enormous impetus to the development of innovation and technology in the Bay Area."