Blog
A Development Blueprint and an Action Agenda
The National Two Sessions concluded successfully in Beijing last week. At the Fourth Session of the 14th National People's Congress, the "Outline of the 15th Five-Year Plan for National Economic and Social Development of the People's Republic of China" (the "National 15th Five-Year Plan") was adopted, providing an extensive blueprint and action agenda for the nation's social and economic development over the next five years. Spanning more than 70,000 words, the National 15th Five-Year Plan offers sharp insights into the trends and developments in the evolving international macroeconomic landscape. With notable clarity, it sets out the direction and pathways for building a modernised industrial system and advancing high-level self-reliance and strength in science and technology. It also provides clear guidance on supporting Hong Kong in solidifying and enhancing its competitive advantages, as well as better integrating into and contributing to overall national development.
Taking the development of a modernised industrial system as an example, the Plan clearly sets out directions such as upgrading traditional industries, fostering emerging industries, planning ahead for future industries, and promoting high-quality and efficient development of the service sector. It also underscores the importance of advancing original innovation and achieving breakthroughs in core technologies in key fields, thereby accelerating self-reliance and strengthening science and technology capabilities. Regarding the development of Digital China, the Plan aims to build a strong digital and intelligent foundation, co-ordinate computing power and algorithmic models, and deepen the use of data resources to support the "AI Plus" initiative and drive progress across all sectors.
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| Introducing the Budget and the opportunities for Hong Kong arising from the National 15th Five-Year Plan at a luncheon with the business community last week. |
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| Highlighting Hong Kong's proactive alignment with the National 15th Five-Year Plan at last week's joint business community luncheon. |
As a Special Administrative Region, Hong Kong must continue to study and fully grasp the guiding principles of the National 15th Five-Year Plan. By understanding the country's macro-level approach, we can align with the Plan more effectively; and by appreciating its development needs, we can better contribute to overall national development. It is important that we leverage Hong Kong's unique strengths – including the institutional advantages of "one country, two systems", the common law system, our role as an international platform, a strong cluster of leading enterprises and high-end talent, and our functions as an international financial centre – to unlock greater growth potential.
Hong Kong, with its world-class financial markets and professional services, is well positioned to provide stronger support for accelerating the development of a modernised industrial system and for deepening the integration of technological and industrial innovation. We should step up efforts to enhance our full-chain fundraising ecosystem, intellectual property financing, and testing and certification capabilities. We should also strengthen technology services tailored to the needs of technology companies throughout their development journey. To promote co-ordinated regional development, we must work with our sister cities in the Guangdong–Hong Kong–Macao Greater Bay Area. Together, we will advance concrete, feasible measures on regulatory and regime alignment and on facilitating cross-boundary flows of innovation elements.
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| Outlining Hong Kong's strategy for advancing the "AI+" Initiative at the Lenovo Tech World '26 last week. |
Under the Chief Executive's leadership, the preparatory groups previously established by various policy bureaux have been converted into formulation teams to align with the National 15th Five-Year Plan. Working at full speed, they will compile Hong Kong's first-ever five-year plan this year. With clear and shared goals, bureaux will coordinate closely to develop a comprehensive action plan. Throughout the process, we will strive to combine an effective government with an efficient market, move beyond conventional approaches, embrace innovation, and pursue reform with determination—advancing our work with a proactive and pragmatic mindset.
Participating in national development is both Hong Kong's responsibility and a significant opportunity for its future. With its extensive scope, the National 15th Five-Year Plan clearly sets out how Hong Kong can better leverage its strengths over the next five years. Our objectives are clear, and our tasks are well defined. We must step up our efforts—driving policy implementation with determination and committing all necessary resources—to deliver high-quality development that is goal-oriented and results-driven.
March 15, 2026
