Chief Executive John Lee stated at the Hong Kong Economic Summit 2026 today (March 16) that the HKSAR Government is formulating its first-ever "Hong Kong Five-Year Plan" to align with the national 15th Five-Year Plan, providing clear guidance for socio-economic development and better integrating Hong Kong into the national development landscape.
Lee emphasized leveraging Hong Kong's "super connector" and "super value-adder" role. Domestically, the government will deepen cooperation with Greater Bay Area cities on rule alignment and mechanism connectivity. Internationally, it will expand global trade networks, strengthening ties with traditional and emerging economies including the Global South.
The 15th Five-Year Plan supports Hong Kong in consolidating its financial, shipping, trade, and aviation hub status, strengthening offshore RMB, asset management, and risk management functions, and advancing innovation technology, legal services, IP trading, and cultural exchange centers. For the first time, the plan includes supporting Hong Kong's commodities trading ecosystem, high-value-added supply chain services center, accelerating Northern Metropolis development, and building an international talent hub.
Lee noted the Northern Metropolis, covering one-third of Hong Kong's land and future population, serves as a new economic engine. Through innovative cooperation models, including district development and preferential policies, new land is being provided for innovative technology development.
Hong Kong's five-year plan will outline economic and social development for 2026-2030, aiming to continuously improve livelihoods while consolidating competitiveness, sustaining this virtuous cycle.
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