To strengthen ties between the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, the Hong Kong-ASEAN Foundation (HKAF) and the Northern Metropolis Co-ordination Office (NMCO) recently co-organized a field visit to the Northern Metropolis.
The nearly 70-strong delegation comprised ASEAN consuls-general, chamber representatives, and leaders from the business and academic sectors, along with consular and institutional representatives from Belarus, Canada, Hungary and the United Kingdom.
The visit aimed to introduce participants to the Northern Metropolis’ overall plan, its latest progress, and to explore potential cooperation in investment, innovation and technology (I&T) and professional services.
Led by NMCO Director Linda So Wai-sze, the delegation toured key sites within the Northern Metropolis, including the Hung Shui Kiu/Ha Tsuen New Development Area Community Liaison Centre, where they were briefed on the region’s overall blueprint and construction milestones.
The group then toured the visitor center and wet laboratory at the Hong Kong-Shenzhen Innovation and Technology Park to learn about progress in local I&T development. A stop at the Long Valley Nature Park showcased efforts to coordinate urban development and ecological preservation. The tour wrapped up at Ming Tak Tong, a historic ancestral hall in Yuen Long, where delegates experienced traditional Hakka cuisine and gained insights into local culture and customs.
The scale and diversity of the delegation reflect the international community’s growing interest in the Northern Metropolis’ development potential.
So said the Northern Metropolis serves as an important platform for Hong Kong to fulfill its role of “bringing in and going global” under the national development strategy.
It acts as a gateway for overseas enterprises to enter the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and other mainland markets, while helping mainland businesses expand globally, she said.
She added that current work focuses on development delivery and enterprise attraction, supported by the SAR government’s multipronged approach to expedite development and attract businesses, including dedicated legislation for the Northern Metropolis, diversified implementation modes, and comprehensive facilitation measures.
Singapore’s Consul-General in Hong Kong Eric Teo spoke positively of the visit, saying it offered deeper insights into the Northern Metropolis’ overall planning.
“The visit deepened our understanding of the area’s developments in innovation and technology, modern logistics and other sectors as part of its broader industrial positioning and long-term vision,” he said. “We also learnt about Hong Kong’s determination in advancing this major initiative and its strategic role as a regional connector between the Greater Bay Area and the international community, including the ASEAN region.”
Teo said there is potential for collaboration, including in areas such as smart cities, green tech, and the digital economy, among others. He added that he looks forward to exploring deeper practical collaboration between ASEAN members and Hong Kong.
HKAF Chairman Daryl Ng described the Northern Metropolis as a key component of Hong Kong’s long-term development. As the city’s first project included in the national 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-30), it reflects the central government’s strong support for Hong Kong, he said.
Serving as a development base for local and mainland enterprises and as a hub for innovation and industry, it provides a platform for strengthening collaboration between the international community and the Greater Bay Area.
“We are encouraged by the positive response and look forward to working with our ASEAN and international partners to promote opportunities in the Northern Metropolis and facilitate mutually beneficial cooperation in trade, investment, and I&T,” he said.
