Hong Kong leader expected to brief first Legco session on massive bureau restructure plan, Northern Metropolis
- Chief Executive Carrie Lam set to unveil plans for a large-scale overall of the government, including new bureaus and changing remits
- Shake-up will include establishing new housing body, creation of cultural bureau to develop city into arts hub
Hong Kong’s leader is expected to unveil details of the biggest overhaul of the government since 2007 at the inaugural session of the new legislature on Wednesday, as well as provide an update on her ambitious plan to build a new town along the border with mainland China.
Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor is envisioning separating the housing portfolio from the existing Transport and Housing Bureau. The new body would then dedicate itself to resolving the city’s shortage of available flats.
Meanwhile, the Transport Bureau would focus on infrastructure and consolidating the city as a centre for aviation.
Lam would also seek to create a new Cultural, Sports and Tourism Bureau to help develop Hong Kong into a “hub for arts and cultural exchanges between China and the rest of the world”.
A government source familiar with the overhaul, which was floated by the chief executive in October, said Lam had decided not to set up a combined housing and development bureau, as suggested by some government advisers.
The source also said the development and housing bureaus were kept separate because the portfolios of the former were “too wide-ranging” and already covered public works, planning, heritage conservation and building expansion.
