Hong Kong's Chief Executive, John Lee, took to the airwaves on September 18 to discuss the city's first Five-Year Plan for Economic and Social Development (2026-2030) and his fifth Policy Address, both unveiled two days earlier. The plan, a departure from Hong Kong's traditional laissez-faire approach, sets five main objectives: better livelihoods, economic breakthroughs, expanded global competitiveness and influence, faster Northern Metropolis development, and better service to the country. The move underscores a shift toward more proactive governance and deeper integration with national strategies.
Central to the plan is enhancing Hong Kong's international standing. "The strength of Hong Kong is its international status, and we have been emphasising on how we ensure the internationalism or the 'internationalness' of Hong Kong. We are expanding to cover every part of the world where we can reach," Lee said, noting the presence of Economic and Trade Offices, Invest Hong Kong, and Hong Kong Trade Development Council offices globally. Since taking office four years ago, Lee has led delegations to ASEAN, the Middle East, and Central Asia, with colleagues frequently visiting African nations like South Africa and Kenya. This outreach aims to diversify markets and attract investment, vital for a city facing geopolitical tensions and economic headwinds.
Lee highlighted the establishment of the International Organization for Mediation (IOMed) headquarters in Hong Kong as a testament to its global role. "We are very proud to have the headquarters of IOMed set up in Hong Kong, because this is an organisation which is of United Nations status," he said, adding that an international office under the global network of corruption prevention authorities would also be set up. These developments position Hong Kong not just as a business hub but as a contributor to global governance, enhancing its soft power and aligning with its role as a super-connector between China and the world.
The Northern Metropolis (NM) project, a massive development spanning one-third of Hong Kong's land area, is a key focus. Lee emphasized its potential to upgrade the city from both accommodation and development angles, diversifying industries beyond finance, shipping, and trade. "The NM is actually mentioned in our country's 15th Five-Year Plan. That means it is not just a Hong Kong development, it has been elevated as a state-driven project," he said. This elevation ensures central government support, making the NM a cornerstone for job creation, improved livelihoods, and closer alignment with national development, while maintaining Hong Kong's international connectivity.
On artificial intelligence, Lee stressed balancing opportunities and risks. "Last year, we talk very much about how we should benefit from the application of AI, how it will do things faster, and how it will also do things more correctly," he said. "So while we develop and ensure people understand and use it, we also need to tell everybody the potential risks that it will bring." To this end, the government will create a Commissioner for AI post to set policy, coordinate resources, issue guidelines, and develop AI for whole-of-government use, with the aim of sharing experiences globally. This proactive stance on AI regulation could serve as a model for other jurisdictions, enhancing Hong Kong's reputation as a forward-thinking, responsible tech hub.
The plan's emphasis on international networks, as promoted by Brand Hong Kong, reinforces the city's commitment to global engagement. For more information, visit Brand Hong Kong. Overall, the Five-Year Plan and Policy Address signal a decisive shift toward strategic planning, leveraging Hong Kong's unique advantages to secure its future as a global city and integral part of China's development.
