The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region will kick off a public consultation exercise on the city’s first five-year development plan on June 15 to better align with broader national development, Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu said on Tuesday, calling it a “historic” move and pledging tangible, sweeping benefits for the community.
He said the two-month exercise is aimed at soliciting residents’ views to “broadly gauge public sentiment and widely incorporate the public’s input” as the SAR government spares no effort in formulating a five-year plan that “truly belongs to the people of Hong Kong”.
The Legislative Council submitted its recommendations to Lee for the city’s roadmap earlier last week, covering areas like finance, innovation and social welfare.
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Lee said the plan’s strategies are built on three pillars -- a “people-based” orientation; better integration of an active government with an efficient market; and stronger governance effectiveness for the administration.
The plan will adhere to the “one country, two systems” and “patriots administering Hong Kong principles that, he said, “have long ensured Hong Kong’s success”.
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It will include measures to consolidate the SAR’s advantageous edge in innovation and technology, and accelerate the development of the Northern Metropolis, while tapping opportunities spawned by national growth and the rise of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.
The roadmap is also designed to capitalize on Hong Kong’s unique position where national and international opportunities converge to serve the country’s needs, Lee said.
“For the local economy and companies, the plan will unlock fresh business opportunities for young people and talent, and offer more jobs and room for advancement. And, for society at large, it’ll chart the direction that leads to more sustainable development for the city and a more prosperous, stable society for its people.”
The public consultation paper will be posted on a dedicated website and distributed at multiple locations across the city on the day of the launch.
Contact the writer at wanqing@chinadailyhk.com
