This year marks the beginning of the nation's 15th Five-Year Plan, and the Hong Kong SAR government is fully committed to drafting the city's first five-year plan. In a joint interview with the Hong Kong Ta Kung Wen Wei Media Group and RTHK, Chief Executive John Lee revealed that the official document is expected to be released earlier, by the end of the third quarter – ahead of the government's original target of the end of the year. He thanked all sectors of society for their collaboration in achieving this breakthrough.
Hong Kong's first five-year plan is scheduled to be unveiled this year, with a two-month public consultation running from next Monday (June 15) to August 14. Lee said that during the consultation period, multiple online and offline activities will be held to accommodate Hong Kongers' busy schedules. He also mentioned that, similar to the Policy Address consultation process, district consultations will be conducted, and he will visit communities to listen to public opinions. "I want to explain in person and let citizens hear my immediate responses," he said.
Lee stated that the plan may be further accelerated and officially released by the end of the third quarter. "It's faster than we imagined, but there's still a lot of ground to catch up on," he admitted. He acknowledged that the original timeline was already quite tight, but with the full support of the Legislative Council and all sectors of society, the government will explore whether it can move even faster.
He further noted that Chinese mainland cities that have implemented similar plans for many years typically require 1.5 to 2 years for preparatory work. In comparison, although Hong Kong is drafting this blueprint for the first time, its efficiency has been significantly faster. He believes the first blueprint will provide a clear development direction for Hong Kong society, allowing citizens to understand the government's policy priorities, and future Policy Addresses will align with it.
Lee explained that this arrangement will help make Hong Kong's policies more systematic. He noted that Hong Kong's policies can be divided into short-, medium-, and long-term layouts, some spanning 10 to 20 years. However, if unified under a five-year planning cycle, they will be more organized. He also described this as a "cross-term" policy, as each SAR government term lasts five years. With one year remaining in the current term, the document will cover the final year of the current government and the first four years of the next government, fully reflecting the core concept of a five-year cycle. He elaborated that the nation has its five-year plan, and each year's Government Work Report is drafted in accordance with that direction. Similarly, Hong Kong SAR's Policy Addresses will be formulated around this local five-year blueprint, ensuring policy continuity regardless of government transitions.
Lee added that the Legislative Council will conduct thorough discussions on the plan, aiming to secure the mutual endorsement of both the executive and legislative branches, gradually making it a "convention" in Hong Kong. The blueprint will bring about reforms across multiple areas, with the goal of enhancing citizens' sense of well-being. He cited examples such as the SAR government's promotion of the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance, the crackdown on substandard subdivided flats, and the regulation of ride-hailing services – all reforms aimed at genuinely improving the well-being of Hong Kong citizens.
Related News:
John Lee departs for HK tonight after Central Asia tour delivers 96 agreements
HK dethrons Switzerland as largest booking center for cross-border wealth: likely to keep it
Comment