Hong Kong's Chief Executive John Lee has unveiled the First Five-Year Plan for Economic and Social Development of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (2026-2030), alongside his fifth Policy Address, outlining a strategic roadmap to consolidate and enhance Hong Kong's competitive edge as an international city. The plan focuses on strengthening the city's four traditional economic pillars—finance, trade, maritime, and aviation—while also developing it into a hub for high-calibre talent and an international innovation and technology centre.
Central to the plan is Hong Kong's role as an international financial centre. The government aims to deepen the development of its global offshore Renminbi business and capital market, develop an international asset and wealth management centre, and enhance the securities market. Hong Kong has already become the world's largest cross-boundary wealth management centre this year. "The significance of the First Five-Year Plan for Hong Kong lies in a mindset shift; we must plan Hong Kong's financial development with a longer-term vision and broader perspective to adapt with flexibility and diversity," said Christopher Hui, Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury. "Each of our initiatives centres around one objective, which is to elevate Hong Kong from a 'corridor of capital' to a 'destination of choice'." A key initiative includes developing a commodity trading ecosystem with gold as an entry point, with a central clearing and settlement system for gold set to launch in the first quarter of 2027.
In trade, Hong Kong was ranked the world's fifth-largest entity in merchandise trade in 2025. The plan seeks to consolidate this status and play a greater role in the high-level opening up of the Chinese Mainland. The Task Force on Supporting Mainland Enterprises in Going Global has already assisted over 340 Mainland enterprises with listing, compliance, and other services. "In alignment with the National 15th Five-Year Plan's call to advocate and practise true multilateralism, the First Five-Year Plan proposes to continue expanding international economic and trade network," said Algernon Yau, Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development. Efforts will include forging free trade agreements and expanding overseas offices.
As an international maritime centre, Hong Kong has ranked fourth globally in maritime comprehensive strength for seven consecutive years. The plan aims to drive a "volume to value" transformation of the Hong Kong Port, developing high value-added maritime services and building a "Global Maritime Capital." This includes promoting "Finance + Shipping" by leveraging the city's maritime finance, insurance, and arbitration services under common law. In aviation, Hong Kong's airport has been the world's busiest cargo airport for 15 years since 2010, with passenger throughput reaching 61 million last year. The government will expand its aviation network and diversify business opportunities by visiting emerging regions to conclude new air services agreements.
Furthermore, the plan emphasizes building Hong Kong as an international innovation and technology centre. The government will promote artificial intelligence applications across trades and focus on strategic technology areas such as life and health, AI and robotics, microelectronics, new energy, and advanced manufacturing. The goal is to raise the ratio of Total Domestic Expenditure on Innovation Activities to GDP to 3% after 2030. For more information, visit Brand Hong Kong.
