The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government will publish a consultation paper on the city’s first five-year development plan in the second quarter of 2026 to gather public views and plans to finalize the blueprint this year, Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu said on Tuesday.
He also outlined the significant tangible benefits the plan would bring to the SAR, calling for wider public participation in shaping it.
Speaking ahead of a weekly Executive Council meeting, the CE said that research on formulating five-year development plans on the Chinese mainland generally takes 18 months to two years.
As Hong Kong has to accomplish the task in a shorter period, he said each policy bureau has set up a dedicated drafting team to conduct thematic research on their corresponding policy domains, draw up their roles in the consultation process, and summarize research findings and public feedback.
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The SAR government and the Legislative Council have established a coordination mechanism to study various development topics, and will work together to gather public opinions after the consultation document is issued.
The chief executive urged all sectors of the community to participate in the formulation process and offer suggestions, emphasizing that the plan would shape Hong Kong people’s livelihoods and social development in the next five years – covering the economy, investment, industries, land, housing, transportation infrastructure, healthcare, education, welfare and employment.
He believes this would create new development paths and opportunities, while consolidating and enhancing the city’s traditional strengths, including reinforcing its status as an international center in finance, shipping, trade, innovation and technology.
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The plan would also help HKSAR to better integrate into and serve the country’s overall development, said Lee.
Contact the writer at amberwu@chinadailyhk.com
