Hong Kong’s Northern Metropolis: bridging to a mainland-led growth future

Hong Kong launches the Northern Metropolis megaproject to transform parts of the New Territories into four hubs (commerce, professional services, technology and eco-tourism) and to deepen integration with the Greater Bay Area and mainland markets. Backed by Beijing and Hong Kong authorities, the plan aims to diversify beyond finance, attract new residents, and ease housing strain, but carries a hefty price tag (over HK$360bn per S&P Global estimates; HK$224bn government estimate) and involves land clearance and evictions of rural villagers, signaling a shift to mainland-style, infrastructure-led growth and closer China ties.