Li Jiachao: The five-year plan actively connects with the national “15th Five-Year Plan” planning system to plan a blueprint for Hong Kong's economic and social development

The Zhitong Finance App learned that on September 17, the Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Li Jiachao, pointed out during an interactive question-and-answer session on the “Hong Kong First Five-Year Plan” and the 2026 “Policy Address” in the Legislative Council that this year marks the beginning of the country's “15th Five-Year Plan” and is also a key year for Hong Kong to move “from governance and development”. The introduction of the “Hong Kong First Five-Year Plan” marks Hong Kong's development entering a stage of public governance where macro-level strategic planning, long-term global planning, and reform are opening a new chapter. This landmark “Five-Year Plan” actively connects with the country's “15th Five-Year Plan”, giving full play to Hong Kong's unique advantage of having both national and international opportunities under “one country, two systems,” as well as the SAR government's change of mind to recognize, adapt, and seek change in the “governance and development” process.

He said that the country's “15th Five-Year Plan” gives Hong Kong a strategic position of “four centers, one highland”, pointing out that it is necessary to consolidate and enhance Hong Kong's status as an international financial, shipping, trade center and international aviation hub, build an international innovation and technology center, and build a highland where international high-end talents gather. At the same time, it is necessary to give full play to the advantages of internationalization to provide clear guidance for the booming development of Hong Kong's economy and society.

Li Jiachao explained that the “Hong Kong First Five-Year Plan” consists of 7 articles and 28 chapters, focusing on six major areas: 1. Strengthening the “Four Centers, One Highland” construction to consolidate and enhance international competitiveness; 2. Accelerate the construction of the northern metropolitan area and optimize Hong Kong's spatial pattern; 3. Deeply participate in the construction of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and build a global cooperative network; 4. Effectively enhance people's livelihood and welfare and improve the livelihood security system; 5. Coordinate development and safety to improve the effectiveness of public governance; and 6. Strengthen the implementation guarantee mechanism of the “Five-Year Plan”. The full article runs through five clear goals: first, to achieve new breakthroughs in economic development; second, to enhance international competitiveness and influence; third, to accelerate the efficiency of construction in the northern metropolitan area; fourth, to significantly improve people's livelihood and welfare; and fifth, to achieve significant progress in integrating and serving the overall development of the country.

He pointed out that the “Hong Kong First Five-Year Plan” is a blueprint for the deployment of the Hong Kong system to plan economic and social development for the next five years, and is a forward-looking, strategic and directional guidance document; while the 2026 “Policy Address” is an annual action plan for implementing the “Five-Year Plan”.

Take the indicators drawn up in two documents as an example. The “Hong Kong First Five-Year Plan” sets out a total of 105 indicators, including 22 main indicators contained in the first section, 57 work indicators listed in various columns, and 26 work indicators expressed in each section; the “Policy Address” sets 284 indicators covering 83 areas to implement the direction and requirements of the “Five-Year Plan” and explain important projects formulated by the Chief Executive according to the actual situation in Hong Kong.

Li Jiachao emphasized that the ultimate purpose of administration is to improve people's livelihood. Improving people's livelihood requires resources. Resources come from economic development, which creates opportunities for employment and entrepreneurship. The government promotes diversification of industries, promotes upgrading and transformation, and achieves high-quality development. The aim is to create more economic dividends, allow citizens to share, live a better life, and effectively improve people's livelihood and welfare.

He said that the “Hong Kong First Five-Year Plan” is a blueprint for all to achieve. It belongs to Hong Kong, and also to every citizen. He believes that as long as we follow the blueprint of the Five-Year Plan and strictly implement the policies and measures in the Policy Address, Hong Kong will definitely be able to start a better new chapter together.