A delegation of deputies to the 14th National People's Congress from the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) pose for a group photo in front of the Great Hall of the People before the opening meeting of the fourth session of the 14th CPPCC National Committee on March 4, 2026. Photo: Courtesy of the delegation

"With what kind of feeling am I attending? Full of hope!" Kenneth Fok Kai-kong, a deputy from Hong Kong to the 14th National People's Congress (NPC), told the Global Times on Thursday, noting that seeing the country continue to develop gives him hope for identifying new pathways for the future development for Hong Kong. 

The 14th NPC, China's top legislature, opened its fourth session on Thursday at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, according to the Xinhua News Agency. 

Xi Jinping and other Party and state leaders attended the opening meeting. Premier Li Qiang delivered a government work report at the meeting and lawmakers examined a draft outline of the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030) for national economic and social development, Xinhua reported. 

We will resolutely implement the policy of "One Country, Two Systems,'' under which the people of Hong Kong administer Hong Kong and the people of Macao administer Macao, both with a high degree of autonomy. We will see that Hong Kong and Macao are administered by patriots, ensure that both special administrative regions are more effectively governed in accordance with the law, and promote their economic and social development, according to the government work report submitted Thursday to the country's top legislature for deliberation.

We will support Hong Kong and Macao in better integrating into and contributing to the country's overall development, further leverage their unique strengths and important roles derived from the backing of the motherland and from their close links with the rest of the world, and promote their long-term prosperity and stability, the government work report said. 

In the draft outline of the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030) for national economic and social development, there is emphasis on supporting the Hong Kong and Macao SARs in consolidating and enhancing their competitive advantage. For example, it mentions supporting Hong Kong in strengthening its status as an international financial, shipping, and trade center, as well as an international aviation hub, and Macao in promoting appropriately diversified economic development and deepen commercial and trade cooperation service platform between China and Portuguese-speaking countries. 

Hong Kong's Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu told China News Service that Hong Kong will formulate its first-ever five-year development plan to align with the nation's 15th Five-Year Plan. Lee attended the opening of the fourth session of the 14th National People's Congress in Beijing on Thursday.

Some deputies to the 14th NPC and members of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) from the Hong Kong and Macao SARs shared their excitement with the Global Times after learning the directions of development for the next five years, especially by integrating with the motherland and further connecting with the world. 

When discussing Hong Kong's strengths and opportunities in aligning with the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030), Ma Fung-kwok, head of the Hong Kong delegation, summarized them with the phrase "favorable timing, geographical advantage, and social harmony." 

In an interview with the Global Times at the Great Hall of the People, Ma explained that "favorable timing" stems from the country's growing comprehensive national strength and continuous technological advancement. "Geographical advantage" lies in Hong Kong's unique position of "backed by the motherland and connected to the world." "Social harmony" is based on Hong Kong's current situation of social stability and unity.

"The perfect alignment of favorable timing, geographical advantage, and social harmony fills us with confidence and enthusiasm, and we hope to actively participate in the development of the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030)," Ma said.

Some members to the 14th National Committee of the CPPCC from Macao SAR said they are primarily focusing on cooperation within the Greater Bay Area during this year's "two sessions," including supporting Macao enterprises in participating in infrastructure projects in Hengqin, developing the big health industry, and leveraging Macao's platform to help companies expand overseas.

With both Chinese and Portuguese are official languages, Macao plays an important role in promoting economic and trade cooperation between China and Portuguese-speaking countries. The markets of Portuguese-speaking countries hold enormous potential, and Macao can serve as a "precise connector" for mainland enterprises seeking to enter Portuguese-speaking countries and even the broader EU market, Alex Mok Chi Wai, a member to the 14th National Committee of the CPPCC from Macao, told the Global Times on Thursday.