Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu during an exclusive interview with China News Service in Beijing on March 4, 2026. Photo: Screenshot from WeChat account of China News Service

Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu said on Wednesday in an exclusive interview with China News Service that Hong Kong will explore drafting its first five-year plan to better align with national development strategies, China News Service reported on Thursday. Lee came to Beijing to attend the opening meeting of the fourth session of the 14th National People's Congress (NPC).

According to Lee, “as the world’s second largest economy, our country offers Hong Kong infinite opportunities.” He stated that Hong Kong’s logic of aligning with national strategies is to leverage its own strengths to meet the national needs, and to achieve greater development while making contributions. 

According to Lee, alignment is based on complementary strengths. Lee said that consolidating and reinforcing Hong Kong’s role as a global financial, shipping and trade hub, promoting it as an international innovation and technology center, and building a highland to attract top talents are not only recommendations put forward in the 15th Five-Year Plan, but also strong advantages of the city.

“Without technology, there will be no future,” Lee said. He particularly highlighted technology as a key growth engine and cited Hong Kong’s strengths including Hong Kong’s five world’s top-100 universities, its common law system aligned with international standards and the free flow of capital. He believes the city’s unique edge lies in combining international and national strengths in one place.

Lee revealed that all 15 Hong Kong policy bureaus have set up task groups to begin drafting the city’s first five-year plan, aiming to turn opportunities into implementation paths. Once details of the 15th Five-Year Plan are unveiled, the SAR government will swiftly begin drafting its blueprint, which will be subject to public consultation and focus on boosting the economy, improving livelihoods and strengthening competitiveness.

Lee believes that the significance of the five-year plan is to let Hong Kong residents see how the city will develop over the next five years. He hopes that every future five-year period will see clear milestones.

Global Times