Hong Kong Phooey

at

Locations discussed for ‘Nextopolis’ included an area between Drogheda and Dundalk in County Louth; a site to the east of Galway city; an area just north of Limerick city; a plot outside Waterford city; a site to the east of Cork; and an area near Killarney and Tralee in County Kerry.

This morning.

The Times revealed that six locations in Ireland were discussed by government officials as possible sites for a new autonomous city named Nextpolis proposed by a wealthy Hong Kong businessman.

Via The Times:

The Department of Foreign Affairs has been in contact with the Victoria Harbour Group (VHG), an international charter city investment company, since December about a plan to create a city from scratch that would be home to tens of thousands of Hong Kong residents.

Documents released under freedom of information laws show that a series of meetings have taken place in Ireland and Hong Kong in recent months about sourcing a 500 sq km area of land for the new city.

Tim Mawe, regional director in the Asia Pacific Unit of the Department of Foreign Affairs, replied: “Many thanks for your message and for the interesting conversation last week.” He added: “As regards Sim City [The proposed city was referred to as Sim City in its early stages,], I note that you will be in touch with David [Costello, Ireland’s consul in Hong Kongl and I again. At that point, we can see what to do next.”

Thud.

Hong Kong security law: Officials discussed six sites for autonomous city in Ireland (Ben Haugh, The Times)

Meanwhile..

… the city would have an initial population of between 50,000 but would grow to 500,000 over 20 years, with at least 50 per cent made of people from Hong Kong, and 15-30 per cent from Ireland and Europe. It states the city would have a “free reforming economic system” within Ireland; an independent relationship with the EU; control of its own borders; a low and simple taxation system; no foreign exchange control; and an emphasis on “ease of setting up and conducting businesses”.

Gulp.

吞咽.

Top pic: Getty

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39 thoughts on “Hong Kong Phooey”

  1. SOQ

    Given the very large Chinese vaccine plant being built south side of Dundalk- is there even a question as to its location? New builds in Haggardstown being snapped up off the plans.

    Don’t you just love the The Times spin?

    2. Cian

      A measles vaccine protects you from measles.
      What does your “Chinese vaccine” protect you from?

    1. Liam Deliverance

      Yes and An Bord Plaenala gave the green light for it! – I wonder would it get the go ahead today? This Nextopolis is just as barmy

  8. italia'90

    The best part of the virtual tour was when I passed through the seven levels of the Candy Cane forest, through the sea of swirly-twirly gum drops, and then I walked through the Jack Lynch Tunnel.

  11. Formerly known as @ireland.com

    If it was north of the border, it could create a permanent pro-UK majority.

  12. f_lawless

    We’re still struggling with the consequences of the Plantations all these years later. To even contemplate taking on the fallout from more British imperialism on this scale seems like absolute madness.

  14. newsjustin

    It takes decades to get planning for an incinerator (for example) in Ireland. This is not going to happen.

    As to whether it should happen – what will it add apart from GDP?

  15. Zaccone

    I dunno if we should be building an entire city from scratch for them, but we should definitely be offering visas to Hong Kongers who want to escape. The ones who arrived in the 1980s and 1990s have been model immigrants – almost no crime, high education levels, high income levels, very low unemployment etc.

  16. Colm Cassin

    Not a chance , you wanna come here you play by our rules and there is already enough boarders here…

  18. Rob_G

    “…an independent relationship with the EU; control of its own borders; a low and simple taxation system; no foreign exchange control “

    this sounds like a wish-list; I don’t think there are any legislation currently that would allow for such a place to exist

      1. Rob_G

        It reminds me of the time there was going to be a mega-giant Chinese distribution hub covering hundreds and hundreds of acres in Athlone.

  20. Dr.Fart

    over the years we’ve sold off every resource for nothing. our fishing waters, gas, oil, land, peoples homes, if a foreign investor wants them they get them, and for eff all. this is a step way too far, literally selling off 500sqkm of ireland. and even in the early plans its quite clear it wouldnt be a part of ireland, having it’s own borders etc. The impact it would have on our environment would be collosal.

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