Senior officials on Wednesday expressed high expectations for Hong Kong to uphold and improve the executive-led system, while aligning with the nation’s 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-30) in the year ahead.
The remarks were delivered during the spring reception hosted by the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. The event, attended by more than 2,000 guests from across society, coincided with li chun, or Start of Spring, one of China’s traditional “24 solar terms”.
Zhou Ji, director of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the HKSAR, praised the city's progress over the past year in areas such as economic growth, public welfare, and governance, saying, “The Pearl of the Orient is radiating with renewed and dazzling brilliance.”
In 2025, Hong Kong experienced a 3.5 percent year-on-year GDP growth, retained its status as the world’s top IPO fundraising venue, shortened the average waiting time for public housing, and saw median household incomes continue to rise, Zhou added.
He credited these achievements to the institutional strengths of "one country, two systems", strong national support, and the concerted efforts of Hong Kong society.
Looking ahead, Zhou expressed confidence that Hong Kong will uphold and refine the executive-led system. He expects that the new-term Legislative Council will maintain its oversight role without overstepping, and that the legislative and executive branches will establish a sound interaction under law-based, efficient governance.
He also advocated for Hong Kong’s proactive alignment with the nation’s new Five-Year Plan and engagement in the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. By integrating into and serving the country’s overall growth, Hong Kong is bound to achieve even greater progress, he added.
Zhou called for unity among all sectors of society to help the city overcome challenges on the journey ahead.
Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu pledged to uphold and enhance the executive-led system, which he described as “a cornerstone of Hong Kong’s prosperity and stability”.
Lee said that his administration will foster sound interaction between the executive and legislative branches, ensuring checks and balances, and effective cooperation.
He promised to deepen reforms, integrating "an efficient market" with "a capable government" to boost Hong Kong’s economy, infrastructure and public welfare. He said the city will accelerate integration into national development while promoting economic and social progress in the coming year.
The reception also featured speeches by Cui Jianchun, commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the HKSAR; Dong Jingwei, head of the Office for Safeguarding National Security of the Central People's Government in the HKSAR; and Tan Zhiwei, deputy commander-in-chief of the Chinese People's Liberation Army Hong Kong Garrison.
Lawmaker Priscilla Leung Mei-fun, who attended the event, said she was encouraged by the central government's care for Hong Kong and the strong sense of unity shown among attendees.
She expressed confidence that under the executive-led system, Hong Kong society can work together to align with national development blueprints, such as the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-30), and secure greater progress.
