Bill Tang proposes transforming Kowloon East development area into Northern Metropolis testing ground

Federation of Trade Unions legislator Bill Tang Ka-piu has released a strategy report titled "High-Quality Development of Kowloon East's Second Core Business District" containing 50 recommendations, including positioning Kowloon East as a "Northern Metropolis testing ground" to pilot special land policies from the Northern Metropolis plan such as preferential land prices and tax exemptions.

Tang stated that amid rapidly changing global economic conditions, society expects more predictable and proactive government services and economic policies. He emphasized that Hong Kong can no longer rely on passive development approaches, noting that effective governance and efficient markets are now essential for high-quality sustainable development. His research team spent three years conducting policy research, cross-sector seminars and expert interviews to compile environmental analysis and strategic recommendations for enhancing Kowloon East's CBD2 development.

The report identifies several challenges facing Kowloon East's CBD2, including an administrative framework overly focused on land planning without investment attraction and industry leadership functions, weak industrial planning limiting cluster effects, relatively low international recognition, higher vacancy rates, and lack of upscale urban atmosphere. Tang recommends establishing a "Kowloon East CBD2 Information Exchange Platform" involving government, business, community and academic sectors to improve market information flow and policy coordination.

Long-term recommendations include promoting "Kowloon East-ASEAN connectivity" by establishing enterprise support centers in CBD2 and forming an inter-departmental "ASEAN and Belt and Road Initiative Task Force" to enhance economic cooperation with ASEAN and Belt Road countries.

Tang also proposed developing an international yacht club in Yau Tong Bay that could provide 200 berths and public fishing corridors, promoting "yacht free travel" to connect with Greater Bay Area and ASEAN high-end tourism markets. Additionally, he suggested leveraging opportunities from Shenzhen's Nan'ao Port to create cross-border marine ecological tourism routes connecting various attractions including Sai Kung, Lei Yue Mun Ferry Pier, Kwun Tong Public Pier and Kai Tak Cruise Terminal.

Regarding feasibility, Tang noted Yau Tong Bay's relatively calm waters and mentioned that two nearby cement plants are ceasing operations - one will remove all components by November this year while the other will stop operations next year - creating space for realizing these proposals.