A delegation of Hong Kong legislators began a weeklong study tour of Beijing on Sunday, aimed at deepening their understanding of the nation’s development and policy directives to help the special administrative region improve its governance and proactively align with the nation’s 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-30).

It’s the first time all members of the Legislative Council members are visiting the nation’s capital since Hong Kong’s return to motherland in 1997.

LegCo President Starry Lee Wai-king said that besides calling on central government agencies responsible for Hong Kong and Macao affairs, the delegation wants to learn more about the country’s latest development, formulating five-year plans, international relations, national security, as well the legal system, through seminars, exchanges and field visits covering areas like new quality productive forces, artificial intelligence, aerospace and information technology applications.

The lawmakers also intend to acquaint themselves with the history of the Communist Party of China, grassroots governance, public services, and the nation’s historical and cultural conservation efforts, Lee said.

Through the visit, legislators can obtain firsthand information to understand the latest national policy directions and governance experiences. This will help them gain broader perspectives when scrutinizing Hong Kong legislation and handling local affairs, she said.

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Lee noted that, by drawing on the country’s experience, Hong Kong can better advance its Northern Metropolis development – a mega township project focused on high-end technologies and logistics services, and the formulation of the city’s first five-year economic development plan.

Delegation member Holden Chow Ho-ding said Hong Kong has the distinctive advantages of the motherland’s strong support and being closely connected to the world under “one country, two systems”.

In light of the latest international situation, legislators need to acquire up-to-date knowledge from the national perspective, he said, believing that the trip will greatly benefit future legislative work.

Ronick Chan Chun-ying said the weeklong tour will allow lawmakers to study together consecutively – a process that will boost team rapport.

Stanley Ng Chau-pei called the visit a “groundbreaking opportunity”, believing that every legislator will study earnestly to deepen their understanding of national conditions.

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Lau Siu-kai – a consultant with the Chinese Association of Hong Kong and Macao Studies – described the tour as a “pioneering” move, demonstrating the central government's emphasis on Hong Kong’s legislative work.

He told China Daily the central government has high expectations of the city’s new legislature which is entirely composed of patriots. It expects Hong Kong lawmakers to have a deeper and more comprehensive understanding of national development and the central government’s policies for Hong Kong in order to better advance the city’s integration into the broader national development landscape.

The central government also expects that, after the city’s legislature strengthens its understanding of the nation’s 15th Five-Year Plan, the executive and legislative branches can build better consensus and cooperation in drafting the SAR’s first five-year plan, Lau added.

The trip will end on July 25.

Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu will hold an inaugural chief executive’s dialogue session with LegCo members on July 28 to further strengthen communication and interaction between the administrative and legislative branches.

He will first share his insights on implementing the principle of “patriots administering Hong Kong” and exchange views with lawmakers.

Contact the writer at atlasshao@chinadailyhk.com