‘Local or global’ tournaments? Lawmakers seek clarity on costly fencing arena

Development chief Doris Ho defends massive project cost, saying government has already pushed for further cost-cutting measures

Hong Kong lawmakers have called for greater clarity on a proposed HK$10 billion project featuring a fencing arena in the Northern Metropolis, questioning its “immense cost” and whether it is meant to host international tournaments.

Permanent Secretary for Development Doris Ho Pui-ling on Wednesday defended the massive price tag, saying the government had sought to keep construction costs down and invited tenderers to propose further cost-cutting measures.

She added that more details would be released at the next meeting of the Legislative Council’s public works subcommittee next month, after the tender evaluation was completed.

“By then, the government can present a more detailed proposal, including the external architectural design, the layout of facilities for public use and whether it is reasonable,” Ho said.

At the centre of the controversy is the HK$9.96 billion project in Kwu Tung North and Fanling North, part of the Northern Metropolis megaproject.

Construction was scheduled to begin in the third quarter of this year, with completion targeted for the end of 2030, Ho said.