Chief Secretary Eric Chan on Sunday reiterated the importance of the Northern Metropolis that is being developed, saying it will bring lots of benefits to Hong Kong in the long-term.

The official said the authorities are sparing no efforts to push the project forward. The administration had earlier set out a goal to transform rural areas in the northern New Territories into an innovation and technology district.

"The Northern Metropolis will be close to the core development area and the innovation and technology hub in Shenzhen, and I believe this will create great synergy, which will be crucial to Hong Kong's development in the long term," Chan said.

Separately, rural leader Kenneth Lau said the government should focus on building the Northern Metropolis first, although he also supports the mega-reclamation project off Lantau.

"We may have to prioritise under current circumstances. The artificial islands off Kau Yi Chau are mainly for residential purposes, and also commercial use. There's no innovation and technology. And it takes time to reclaim land," the Heung Yee Kuk chair told an RTHK programme.

"If we undertake so many projects at the same time, will this affect our costs?"

Lau also pointed out that now is a good time to start nurturing the innovation industry in the Northern Metropolis to better integrate with the development of the nation.