The Development Bureau of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government submitted a discussion document to the Development Affairs Committee of the Legislative Council on the 17th, introducing the idea of enacting exclusive legislation to accelerate the construction of the northern metropolitan area and seeking opinions from members. The discussion document points out that the proposed exclusive legislation targets three target topics, including further loosening the barriers to the planning and land administration procedures of the northern capital, accelerating engineering construction, and assisting industrial operations. The proposed legislation will establish the main framework through the main legislation, while specifying the scope and authorizing the Chief Executive of the Special Administrative Region in conjunction with the Executive Council to further enact subsidiary legislation on the specified scope as needed. The document points out that the main legislation only applies to Beidu, and the main framework established corresponds to the three target topics mentioned above. The document specifies six policy areas where subsidiary legislation can be established, including simplifying urban planning procedures, accelerating compensation for reclaimed land, facilitating the adoption of innovative building technology arrangements, simplifying the procedures and requirements for applying for building noise permits, facilitating and managing cross-border factor flows, and establishing statutory companies in designated areas. The document points out that as a strategic development area for Hong Kong, the importance of Beidou in promoting high-quality social and economic development, facilitating connectivity with the Guangdong Hong Kong Macao Greater Bay Area, and better integrating into and serving the overall development of the country is beyond doubt. The document states that by enacting exclusive laws specifically applicable to the development of the northern city, it can further accelerate and improve the development of the northern city, accelerate the formation of a new engine for the Hong Kong economy, and promote long-term social and economic prosperity and stability. According to this document, the proposed legislation will undergo a public consultation from March 24th to May 22nd for about two months, and efforts will be made to pass the draft of the main legislation within the year, and then formally submit the first batch of subsidiary legislation under the main legislation to the Legislative Council of the Special Administrative Region. The northern metropolitan area borders Shenzhen and covers an area of about one-third of Hong Kong. In October 2021, the Hong Kong SAR government proposed the "Northern Metropolis Development Strategy", proposing to develop the northern part of Hong Kong into a livable, business friendly, and tourist friendly metropolitan area. In March 2026, the "15th Five Year Plan" outline passed at the Fourth Session of the 14th National People's Congress will accelerate the construction of the northern metropolitan area and incorporate it into the national five-year plan. (New Society)