Opening remarks by SCMA at media session
Following are the opening remarks by the Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs, Miss Janice Tse Siu-wa, at a media session today (June 15):
Today, the Hong Kong Government released the consultation paper for our city's First Five-Year Plan. The consultation runs from now until August 14, for two months.
This year, our country kicks off its 15th Five-Year Plan. We will follow its lead and roll out Hong Kong's very first one. Through this, we will better align ourselves with and serve national development as well as seize the new opportunities.
The Hong Kong Five-Year Plan is strategic, forward-looking, and operable. It lays out our goals for the next five years. We will focus on Hong Kong's unique advantages under "one country, two systems" and strengthen our position as an international financial, maritime, and trade centre. We will strive to speed up progress on our international innovation and technology centre and the Northern Metropolis. We will also help drive growth for the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. The Five-Year Plan will also look at livelihood issues including healthcare, education, housing, social welfare, elderly care, etc.
This First Five-Year Plan matters a lot to everyone in Hong Kong. We look forward to ideas from all walks of life to build consensus on Hong Kong's vision for the future.
The consultation paper is available at the 18 District Offices and on our dedicated website. We will also hold a series of consultation meetings in the coming two months.
Thank you.
(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the remarks.)
The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region today (June 15) launched the public consultation on The First Five-Year Plan for Economic and Social Development of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (2026-2030). Photo shows the Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs, Miss Janice Tse Siu-wa (centre); the Permanent Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs, Ms Maggie Wong (left); and the Under Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs, Mr Clement Woo (right), showing the public consultation document. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region today (June 15) launched the public consultation on The First Five-Year Plan for Economic and Social Development of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (2026-2030). Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Hongkong Post unveils new stamp issues for July to December 2026
Hongkong Post announced today (June 18) that five sets of special stamps on various themes will be issued from July to December 2026. Each stamp issue has its own ingenious design and distinctive style, making the stamps valuable collectables for philatelists and the public.
Located in a subtropical region, Hong Kong enjoys valuable geographical features - mountainous terrain and extensive coastline - and distinct seasons. They together nurture a rich variety of natural habitats, providing homes for a wide range of flora and fauna. Following the release of the "Biodiversity" special stamps in 2010, Hongkong Post will issue a set of four stamps on the theme of "Biodiversity II" to showcase the city's distinctive biodiversity, with a view to raising the public's awareness of ecological conservation and inspiring their collaboration in protecting our natural treasures.
Kowloon City District boasts a rich historical and cultural heritage and has undergone tremendous changes over the past few decades. Once home to the legendary Kowloon Walled City, the district has ushered in significant development opportunities since the relocation of Kai Tak Airport to Chek Lap Kok in 1998. Following the successive completion of the Kai Tak Cruise Terminal and the Kai Tak Sports Park, Kowloon City District will host more international and national sporting events, further boosting the development of local tourism. Hongkong Post will issue a set of four stamps on the theme of "Hong Kong Past and Present Series: Kowloon City District", setting out with the public on a journey through time to savour the past and present of Kowloon City District as well as its changing landscape.
Guangcai, the shortened form of "Guangzhou painted porcelain" or "Canton Famille Rose Porcelain", is one of the traditional crafts of Lingnan culture. The Guangcai making technique was inscribed onto the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Hong Kong in 2024. The technique dates back to the early Qing dynasty and was transmitted from Guangzhou to Hong Kong in the 1920s. In addition to conserving the traditional hand-painting technique and auspicious patterns, Guangcai produced in Hong Kong also incorporates local painting techniques and special motifs, hence the name Gangcai ("Hong Kong painted porcelain"). Hongkong Post will issue special stamps on the theme of "Guangcai Making Technique" to promote Lingnan craftsmanship and local intangible cultural heritage, showcasing the ingenuity of Hong Kong artisans that has been passed down through generations.
Inscribed onto the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization's Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2016, the "24 Solar Terms" of the Chinese calendar reflect the change in seasons and meteorological patterns. Subsequent to the "24 Solar Terms - Spring", "24 Solar Terms - Summer" and "24 Solar Terms - Autumn" special stamps issued in 2020, 2023 and 2025 respectively, Hongkong Post will issue special stamps themed on "24 Solar Terms - Winter", featuring six solar terms of winter, namely "Winter Commences", "Light Snow", "Heavy Snow", "Winter Solstice", "Moderate Cold" and "Severe Cold". As the final episode of the "24 Solar Terms" series, this special stamp set marks the successful completion of the entire four seasons stamp collection.
As a treasure of Chinese culture, Chinese medicine has a long history in disease prevention and treatment as well as health preservation and has made a significant contribution to safeguarding people's health. With the implementation of various policy measures, and the successive commissioning of the Chinese Medicine Hospital of Hong Kong and the Government Chinese Medicines Testing Institute, Chinese medicine has become an important integral part of Hong Kong's healthcare system. Hongkong Post will release a set of four stamps and one stamp sheetlet on the theme of "Development of Chinese Medicine in Hong Kong" to showcase key milestones in the development of Chinese medicine in Hong Kong.
In addition, the "2025 Hong Kong Definitive Stamps" with new denominations are expected to be issued later this year. Details will be announced in due course.
Customers may place advance orders for the above new stamp products from today on Hongkong Post's online shopping platform ShopThruPost (shopthrupost.hongkongpost.hk). Customers may also visit the Facebook page "@Hongkong Post Stamps" (www.facebook.com/HKPStamps) for more details. Customers who place orders by July 2 (Thursday) will receive attractive gifts and bonus points. Further information about placing orders can be obtained from the Hongkong Post Stamps website (stamps.hongkongpost.hk) or by calling the Hongkong Post Philatelic Bureau hotline at 2785 5711.
Source: AI-found images
