Hong Kong unveils Northern Metropolis plan to attract global talent and strengthen skills

Hong Kong has unveiled a five-year strategy to accelerate development of the Northern Metropolis (NM) and strengthen the city’s position as an international hub for talent, education and innovation.

Chief Executive John Lee announced the First Five-Year Plan for Economic and Social Development of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (2026-2030) and the 2026 Policy Address on 16 September.

The strategy places the Northern Metropolis at the centre of Hong Kong’s plans to connect higher education, innovation and technology (I&T), industry and talent, while deepening links with cities across the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA).

“The NM will rise as an important strategic vehicle for advancing high-quality post-secondary education, integrating I&T and industry, and pooling international high-calibre talent,” Lee said.

Northern Metropolis to anchor education and innovation

The government plans to establish the Northern Metropolis University Town (NMUT), bringing together education, technology, industry, talent and living environments.

The NMUT will comprise three university towns in San Tin, Hung Shui Kiu and Ta Kwu Ling, with combined campus areas covering about 300 hectares.

Including surrounding technology, industrial and residential areas, the three university towns will span more than 1,000 hectares.

Hong Kong Chief Secretary for Administration Chan Kwok-ki said the university towns will have distinct strategic focuses while collectively expanding the city’s education and research capabilities and connecting them with industry supply chains and markets in Hong Kong and the wider GBA.

The first building of the Loop Hong Kong Park is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2026 and will serve as the flagship project for the launch of the NMUT.

The government will also expand post-secondary education and research capacity. From the 2027/28 academic year, the annual quota under the Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme will gradually increase from 400 places to 550 by 2029/30.

An additional HK$20 million will be provided each academic year to support knowledge transfer and accelerate the commercialisation of research and innovation.

Northern Metropolis to add housing and economic space

The Northern Metropolis accounts for about one-third of Hong Kong’s total land area and is projected to accommodate around one-third of the city’s population.

Under the first five-year plan, the government aims to make about 900 hectares of “spade-ready sites” available between 2026-27 and 2030-31. These sites are expected to support more than 70,000 housing units and one million square metres of economic floor space.

Construction has already begun in four of the nine New Development Areas within the Northern Metropolis: Kwu Tung North/Fanling North, Hung Shui Kiu/Ha Tsuen, Yuen Long South, and San Tin Technopole and the Loop.

About 120 hectares of spade-ready sites had been produced by 2025-26, with at least another 200 hectares expected to be produced during 2026-27 and 2027-28.

The government said the integrated development of urban and rural areas is intended to create an environment where people can live, work and travel, while supporting efforts to attract talent and professionals to the region.

Hong Kong expands talent attraction measures

Alongside the Northern Metropolis development, the 2026 Policy Address includes measures to attract and develop talent needed to support Hong Kong’s economic growth.

These include relaxing extension-of-stay requirements under the Top Talent Pass Scheme for technology start-up talent.

The government will also expand the Immigration Facilitation Scheme for Invited Persons, extending its coverage beyond ASEAN member states to include countries and regions in Central Asia and the Middle East.

A new visa category will also be introduced for non-local participants undertaking short-term training programmes in Hong Kong that are recognised by government bureaux and departments.

The measure is intended to support Hong Kong’s development as a regional training hub while facilitating greater talent exchange.

Hong Kong Financial Secretary Paul Chan said talent remains central to economic development, pointing to the need for workers with the qualifications, experience and expertise required to support the city’s growth.

The government’s strategy therefore links the physical development of the Northern Metropolis with investments in education, research, workforce capabilities and international talent mobility.