By Dr. Chen Xiaofeng Louis
Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu's recent announcement that Hong Kong will unveil its first-ever five-year plan by the end of 2026 to align with the nation's 15th Five-Year Plan (2026–2030) marks a landmark step in the SAR's journey to pursue high-quality development and better integrate into the country's overall development blueprint. As a legal scholar and public servant dedicated to Hong Kong's constitutional order and long-term stability, I believe this forward-looking strategic planning is not only timely but also essential to consolidate Hong Kong's unique advantages under "one country, two systems" and unlock new growth drivers for the city's sustainable prosperity.
The 15th Five-Year Plan, adopted at the Fourth Session of the 14th National People's Congress, sets out a comprehensive vision for national development, with a dedicated chapter supporting Hong Kong and Macao in consolidating and upgrading their competitive edges and better integrating into and serving the nation's development. For Hong Kong, this is more than a policy alignment exercise; it is a strategic imperative to translate the nation's development dividends into tangible benefits for the SAR. For decades, Hong Kong has thrived as an international financial, shipping, and trade center, leveraging its dual advantages of "backed by the motherland and connected to the world." The upcoming Five-Year Plan will institutionalize this synergy, turning short-term policy adjustments into long-term, systematic, and forward-looking governance.
Under the leadership of the HKSAR Government, the drafting task force has been working at full speed to formulate a plan that is macro, strategic, and forward-looking. This institutional innovation reflects the SAR's commitment to targeted governance and evidence-based policy-making, moving beyond ad hoc measures to a holistic framework covering economic upgrading, technological innovation, livelihood improvement, and regional integration. The plan will focus on key national strategies, including the development of new quality productive forces, the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA), and high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, ensuring Hong Kong's development is fully aligned with national priorities.
At its core, Hong Kong's five-year plan will reinforce the city's traditional strengths while fostering new growth engines. As an international financial hub, Hong Kong will deepen its role in renminbi internationalization, green finance, and asset management, supporting the nation's financial opening-up. The plan will accelerate the development of the international innovation and technology center, with cross-boundary collaboration in the Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Innovation and Technology Cooperation Zone to facilitate the flow of talents, capital, and technologies. By linking Hong Kong's financial prowess with the mainland's industrial and technological strengths, the SAR can become a key hub for transforming scientific research into real-world applications.
Integration into the GBA will remain a cornerstone of the plan. The Northern Metropolis Development Strategy, a flagship project, will be advanced in lockstep with national spatial planning, creating a new economic pole that connects Hong Kong with Shenzhen and other GBA cities. This will not only expand Hong Kong's development space but also enhance regional connectivity in infrastructure, rules, and mechanisms. By participating in the nation's unified large market, Hong Kong enterprises and professionals will gain greater access to domestic demand, while the city's high-end professional services will support the mainland's industrial upgrading.
Critically, Hong Kong's five-year plan will uphold the "one country, two systems" principle as its fundamental guidance. This framework ensures Hong Kong maintains its common law system, free flow of capital and information, and international connectivity, while fully leveraging national support. The plan will strike a balance between safeguarding national sovereignty, security, and development interests and maintaining Hong Kong's institutional uniqueness, ensuring stability and prosperity go hand in hand. It will also address livelihood concerns such as housing, youth development, and healthcare, ensuring economic growth benefits all residents and strengthens social cohesion.
The release of Hong Kong's first five-year plan comes at a crucial juncture as the city moves from stability to prosperity. Amid global economic uncertainties and intensified international competition, clear long-term planning provides certainty for businesses, investors, and the public. It sends a strong message that Hong Kong is committed to structural reform, innovation-driven growth, and integration into national development. As a key node in the nation's dual-circulation development pattern, Hong Kong will continue to serve as a "super connector" and "super value adder" between the Chinese Mainland and global markets.
Looking ahead, the successful implementation of the five-year plan requires joint efforts from the government, business sectors, academia, and the community. As a member of the National Association for Hong Kong and Macao Studies and the Hong Kong Election Committee, I am confident that with solid policy design, effective execution, and broad social consensus, Hong Kong will fully capitalize on the opportunities brought by the country's 15th Five-Year Plan. This plan will not only shape Hong Kong's development over the next five years but also lay a solid foundation for the city's long-term stability and prosperity under "one country, two systems."
Hong Kong's future is closely tied to the nation's development. By aligning its first five-year plan with the national 15th Five-Year Plan, Hong Kong embraces a new era of strategic growth. With clear goals, concerted action, and unwavering commitment to "one country, two systems," Hong Kong will consolidate its international status, empower new quality productive forces, and write a new chapter of prosperity in the journey of national rejuvenation.
The author is Member of the Chinese Association of Hong Kong & Macao Studies, Member of the Election Committee of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, and Doctor of Juridical Science.
The views do not necessarily reflect those of DotDotNews.
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