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Kahon Chan

Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu has said his administration will “go ahead as planned” to redevelop three towers in Wan Chai into a new wing of the Convention and Exhibition Centre despite moving a former leader’s office into one of the buildings to “save government money”.
Lee on Tuesday also reaffirmed a pledge to spend an average of HK$90 billion (US$11.6 billion) per year on public works in the coming years, after finance chief Paul Chan Mo-po suggested setting out a priority list for infrastructure projects to help contain government spending.
The office of former chief executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor earlier confirmed an exclusive Post report on Sunday that it would be relocating to the Immigration Tower for at least three years.
The tower, one of three buildings at a government office compound in Wan Chai, was previously expected to be vacated by the end of 2027. It will be rebuilt into a new complex that will add 30,000 square metres (322,917 sq ft) of floor space for conventions and trade fairs as well as about 500 hotel rooms by 2034.
Lee stressed that “the Wan Chai redevelopment plan will go ahead as planned” as he spoke at a press conference on Tuesday ahead of a weekly meeting of the Executive Council, the city’s decision-making body.
“But it is important for the government to make good use of resources, so while the redevelopment plan will go ahead, the buildings that have been vacated, we should make good use of them,” he said.
“That is why we are now renovating the [office] there so as to allow the former chief executive to move in. That will save government money and also ensure government resources are properly utilised.”
Lam’s office is currently housed at One Pacific Place in Admiralty, which costs taxpayers HK$5.67 million a year in rent. The current lease will expire in May.
Her office will be relocated to the 23rd floor of the Immigration Tower, with renovations already under way at the new premises.

The former leader said on Monday that she welcomed efforts to save on recurrent rental costs by relocating.
A source earlier said her new office space was previously used by the director of immigration. The Immigration Department moved its headquarters from Wan Chai to Tseung Kwan O last June in anticipation of the redevelopment plan.
Legislator Michael Tien Puk-sun said he believed the redevelopment scheme in Wan Chai was unlikely to be completed in 2034, the project’s original deadline, as market conditions were not conducive to the tendering of such a prime location.
“People might be optimistic about the outlook in 2034, but what if no one is bidding for it now? It can only be launched when the market is good,” he said.
Hong Kong’s slow property market has already led to a decline in land sales and stamp duty revenue, a major source of government income.
Financial Secretary Paul Chan has estimated the city will record a deficit of nearly HK$100 billion for the current financial year, and has signalled the government will prioritise certain public works projects.
City leader Lee reiterated on Tuesday that authorities were still committed to spending an average of HK$90 billion each year on capital works despite the prospect of financial constraints.
“That will ensure, first of all, the infrastructure projects will go ahead. The priority will be given to Northern Metropolis and also marking lands, particularly for housing and industry development,” he said.


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Hong Kong politics

Hong Kong will redevelop 3 towers in Wan Chai into convention centre: city leader

Immigration Tower in Wan Chai. Photo: Antony Dickson

The Office of Former Chief Executive Carrie Lam is currently located at One Pacific Place in Admiralty. Photo: Nora Tam

Former Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam ‘welcomes’ cost-saving office relocation

One Pacific Place in Queensway, where former Hong Kong city leader Carrie Lam’s office is currently located. Photo: Nora Tam

Former chief executive Carrie Lam has welcomed the move. Photo: Nora Tam

Former Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam’s office moving to government premises

The lease on Carrie Lam’s current office will expire in mid-May. Photo: Nora Tam

Carrie Lam’s current office is located at One Pacific Place in Admiralty. Photo: Nora Tam

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Hong Kong

Politics

John Lee also reaffirms pledge to spend an average of HK$90 billion per year on public works


John Lee also reaffirms pledge to spend an average of HK$90 billion per year on public works.


Hong Kong economy

Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor

John Lee

Paul Chan

Hong Kong will redevelop 3 towers in Wan Chai into convention centre: city leader

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}John Lee also reaffirms pledge to spend an average of HK$90 billion per year on public works

John Lee also reaffirms pledge to spend an average of HK$90 billion per year on public works