Pick up the pace on Northern Metropolis, urges Starry Lee

Jamie Liu

Starry Lee Wai-king, Hong Kong's sole delegate to the National People's Congress standing committee, proposed implementing a special vetting and approval mechanism to speed up the development of the Northern Metropolis.

In a TV interview, Lee yesterday criticized the current way of working in Hong Kong as "too slow," saying the government must think out of the box to make breakthroughs.

She suggested making the Northern Metropolis "an SAR within an SAR," with its own special measures to expedite development processes.

"For example, a rail link usually takes 10 years to build, and three years to complete tender. But for the Northern Metropolis, can we do that within a year?" Lee asked.

Speaking of deepening international exchanges, a key takeaway from the "Two Sessions," Lee called for a high-level coordination led by the SAR government to further strengthen global cooperation.

"I will suggest that the government consider an overall coordination and strategy, and invite all the commercial sectors and different stakeholders in the community to join hands."

Echoing comments made by Xia Baolong, director of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office, Lee urged lawmakers to be a "facilitator" and deliver actual results, rather than just weighing in during discussions of public policies.

jamie.liu@singtaonewscorp.com