Response by LegCo President and two Chief Coordinators of LegCo on Chief Executive's announcement on work arrangement regarding Hong Kong's first five-year plan
The following is issued on behalf of the Legislative Council Secretariat:
The following is the response by the President of the Legislative Council (LegCo), Dr Starry Lee, and the two Chief Coordinators of LegCo on the Chief Executive's (CE) announcement this morning (April 21):
The President of the Legislative Council (LegCo), Dr Starry Lee, Photo source: reference image
The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) is formulating Hong Kong's first five-year plan to proactively align with the National 15th Five-Year Plan. Under the executive-led system, a collaborative research and public opinion gathering mechanism between the Government and the LegCo (the collaboration mechanism) has been established. The CE further announced this morning that the Government aims to release a public consultation document for the five-year plan within this quarter of the year to gather public views. The LegCo fully supports the relevant work of the CE and the HKSAR Government in completing and promulgating the official document for the five-year plan within this year.
Under the collaboration mechanism, the executive and legislative authorities have fostered more positive interactions, complementing each other and strengthening their partnership. The LegCo has fully mobilised Members and established multiple groups based on respective constituencies, professional expertise and experience to conduct thematic research and analysis while gathering views from various sectors. This aims to complement and support the HKSAR Government in formulating the five-year plan for Hong Kong, clearly outlining the development goals, strategies and roadmap for the next five years in areas of economy, society, people's livelihood, and more.
Hong Kong's five-year plan is of profound significance and closely related to the well-being of all citizens. As an integral part of the HKSAR's governing team and the most important platform for gathering public views in Hong Kong, the LegCo is duty bound to fully support the HKSAR Government in formulating the five-year plan. The House Committee has established the Subcommittee on Hong Kong's Work to Actively Dovetail with the National 15th Five-Year Plan, and the Panel on Development has established the Subcommittee on Matters Relating to the Development of the Northern Metropolis. Members will proactively reach out to all sectors of society, inviting stakeholders including experts, industry representatives and civil organisations to participate in this process and build a broad consensus, so as to offer constructive advice to the Government and serve as its steadfast partner.
As the Director of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council, Mr Xia Baolong, said earlier, it is highly significant for the HKSAR Government to formulate Hong Kong's five-year plan, and the Northern Metropolis (NM) should be highlighted as a key focus. LegCo Members visited the NM twice in the past month to keep abreast of the latest developments. This would help Members provide the Government with more targeted and precise advice. The LegCo will continue to gain first-hand understanding of other developments in the NM in future site visits.
Together with the two Chief Coordinators (Mr Chan Chun-ying and Mr Stanley Ng) and all other Members of LegCo, I will continue to support the HKSAR Government to complete Hong Kong's first five-year plan at the earliest opportunity. Through positive interactions between the executive and legislative authorities, this blueprint sets out the direction for Hong Kong's future development, which can effectively align with the National 15th Five-Year Plan and help Hong Kong better integrate into and serve the national development.
The Legislative Council (LegCo), Photo source: reference image
