Singapore to explore opportunities in Hong Kong’s Northern Metropolis: Lawrence Wong

Singapore will explore opportunities arising from Hong Kong’s Northern Metropolis megaproject and its coming five-year development plan, the city state’s Prime Minister Lawrence Wong has said, stressing that relations between the two sides are “more important than ever” in a fragmenting world.Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu said on Friday that Wong’s visit – his first official trip to Hong Kong since becoming prime minister in 2024 – was indicative of the strong ties and friendship between the two jurisdictions and he hoped that enhanced cooperation could achieve “win-win” outcomes.Hong Kong officials, including Chief Secretary Eric Chan Kwok-ki and Secretary for Development Bernadette Linn Hon-ho, accompanied Wong to the Hong Kong park of the Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Cooperation Zone on Friday afternoon.Chan said the visit allowed Wong and his delegation to gain a deeper understanding of the overall planning and future development of the megaproject, which aims to turn 30,000 hectares (74,132 acres) of land into an engine for economic growth and a housing hub.Wong’s delegation includes Senior Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Sim Ann and Senior Minister of State for Trade and Industry Low Yen Ling.In their meeting at Government House earlier on Friday, both leaders highlighted shared beliefs, such as free trade and multilateralism, rather than the differences that often cast the two financial hubs as bitter regional rivals.Singapore’s Lawrence Wong (left) met city leader John Lee at Government House. Photo: Elson Li