'Don't Rule Out Green Belt, Country Park Development'

Development Secretary Michael Wong on Thursday said it was unrealistic to presume the city’s green belts and country parks, which make up more than half of the land in Hong Kong, will remain untouched as authorities seek to boost land supply.

Planning officials are expected to begin a study of around 300 hectares of green belt land next year as part of the government’s efforts, with Wong stressing that this study will focus solely on sites on steep slopes and those located away from built-up areas.

But Wong told an RTHK programme that country parks and green belt sites account for 56 percent of land in Hong Kong, and this land shouldn’t be ruled out for development.

“If you say this 56 percent of land can't be used for to fulfil the development needs of Hong Kong... actually, no other place in the world would do that,” he said.

Wong added that officials may identify more green belt sites for study.

Speaking on the same programme, Housing Secretary Frank Chan said the Housing Authority, which he chairs, is already doing a rather good job in providing public flats.

Chan said only one project had been delayed in recent years.

He said a new procurement model, which allows contractors to undertake design and construction, should help the authority to speed up production.