Hong Kong’s landmark bill to fast-track Northern Metropolis nears passage

A bill designed to streamline the development of Hong Kong’s Northern Metropolis is a step closer to passage, with final discussions set to take place in the Legislative Council on Wednesday before it could be passed as early as this week.

Lawmaker Priscilla Leung Mei-fun said on Monday that the relevant bills committee held 12 meetings and scrutinised the legislation for about 30 hours, noting the measure was unprecedented.

“This marks the first time in Hong Kong’s history that dedicated legislation is enacted for a single area,” Leung said.