Mike Rowse

Opinion | Hong Kong’s small flats will drive international talent elsewhere

Action on subdivided flats, however modest, is welcome but the city’s reputation for very expensive and tiny flats remains a problem

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A furnished show flat of a residential development in 2022. Hong Kong has earned its reputation for extremely high property prices and very small flats. Who else among the world’s advanced economies offers flats of 200 sq ft for sale? Photo: Xiaomei Chen

Mike Rowse

Published: 4:30pm, 20 Oct 2024

I’m not sure if I am supposed to say this, but I found Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu’s latest policy address interesting. It was comprehensive, covered a lot of ground and was quite detailed in places, especially with regard to economic development. I have one or two quibbles, of course, but overall it was a solid effort.

It did not cover the need to draw a line under the social unrest of 2019-20 and begin the process of reconciliation. Perhaps if we are lucky this will be pursued in the coming months in a low-profile way.

The sections on hosting events still tended to throw the term “mega” around a bit too freely. Even so, at least the emphasis seemed to be more on making sure future ones deserve the description rather than applying it to every common or garden happening.

On the economy, there was a clear statement of priority on the way forward: “The Northern Metropolis is the new engine of Hong Kong’s economic development.” I half-expected this to be followed by an acknowledgement that the Kau Yi Chau Artificial Islands development would now be a lesser priority, but a later section made clear the government would go forward with that project as well, albeit “in a steady and prudent manner”.

According to the policy address, the statutory environmental impact assessment process for the reclamation works will begin by the end of this year, with the goal of completing approval procedures next year. Related detailed engineering design work will also commence later this year.

I seriously doubt that Hong Kong has sufficient professional planning and engineering resources to maintain this schedule – or the financial resources to pursue implementation soon – while giving priority to the Northern Metropolis. However, these are questions for another day.