[ADDRESS] ambitious plan to create a technology hub near the mainland Chinese border faces an early test after the first residential sales in its [ADDRESS] got off to a middling start, highlighting the hurdles to turning the area into a new economic engine.

The tepid response to a new home launch in the far-flung development, which authorities hope to transform into a residential and high-tech hub for 2.5 million people, follows a drop in the city’s home sales in July.

The relatively high selling prices in the hinterland area could also weigh on buyer interest ahead of other launches in that area, according to analysts.