Gordon Wu urges HK to revive Lantau reclamation for land growth

Gordon Wu, the 90-year-old chairman and founder of Hopewell Holdings, has urged Hong Kong to revive plans for large-scale reclamation off Lantau Island, arguing that the city's development is constrained by insufficient urban land. Speaking to the South China Morning Post, Wu noted that out of Hong Kong's roughly 1,000 sq km of territory, only about 25% is developed for residential and urban use, while the population of 7.5 million continues to grow. He projected the population could reach 10 million, warning that the current focus on the 30,000-hectare Northern Metropolis project alone may not be enough. Wu emphasized that the government should run Lantau reclamation in parallel to ensure long-term land supply and housing affordability.

Wu also clarified that it is too early for his property empire to commit to the Northern Metropolis, as the government has yet to acquire the land and establish transport links. He described the private sector's role as secondary, stating: "Get the ownership, get the transport – all that is the government's [job]. After that, the private sector will come in." Wu has advocated for Lantau reclamation for decades, and his renewed call reflects persistent concerns about Hong Kong's housing crisis. The debate highlights tensions between mega-infrastructure projects and the need for diversified land sources to support future economic and demographic growth.