Hong Kong's Northern Metropolis to host new

Hong Kong's government has formally included the development of three new university towns in its first Five-Year Plan for Economic and Social Development. The plan, covering 2026 to 2030, aims to create a major new base for universities within the Northern Metropolis project.

Chief Executive John Lee described the plan as an "action agenda" to capitalize on national and international opportunities. The Northern Metropolis is being developed as a new economic engine for Hong Kong, with innovation and technology .

Addressing Space and Partnerships

James Tang, secretary general of Hong Kong’s University Grants Committee, said the development would provide universities with much-needed additional space. He made the remarks to The PIE News on the sidelines of the European Association of International Education conference. What we wanted to do is to invite the universities to work with partners nationally, as well as internationally, to offer all sorts of joint programs, work together, and also set up research facilities there, said Tang.

He emphasized that this would not be a simple expansion. The new spaces are intended to be more dynamic, linking academia and research activities directly with the private sector and other stakeholders.

Plans for Three University Towns

The five-year plan specifically sets out the development of three university towns under a model integrating education, technology, industry, talent, and urban development. Each town has a designated focus area.

Integration with Regional and International Goals

The Northern Metropolis is located on the border with mainland China, close to Shenzhen. It is connected to the wider Greater Bay Area through seven land-based boundary control points. This location is intended to support greater cross-border cooperation in innovation and technology.

The broader plan aims to strengthen Hong Kong as an international innovation and technology centre. It also seeks to develop the city as an international hub for high-calibre talent. A key component is establishing a stronger "Study in Hong Kong" brand.

This development aligns with ongoing efforts to expand Hong Kong's international higher education capacity. International students already constitute around a quarter of university enrolments. Policymakers are looking to increase overseas recruitment while creating more capacity and deeper international partnerships. The wider Northern Metropolis is expected to eventually accommodate about 2.5 million residents and provide approximately 650,000 jobs.