With Hong Kong drafting its first-ever five-year plan, all sectors across the city, from government officials to community leaders, are rallying behind a shared vision to anchor the city more firmly in the nation's broader growth strategy while pursuing a more prosperous future.
Wednesday marks the 29th anniversary of the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR).
The SAR government in June launched a public consultation on its Five-Year Plan for Economic and Social Development. For the first time since its return to China, Hong Kong is setting its own medium-term development blueprint, one that officials say will provide a guiding document for SAR's development over the next five years while enabling its alignment with the national 15th Five-Year Plan.
"This is Hong Kong's first-ever five-year plan, so it carries enormous significance. The plan is designed to align with the national 15th Five-Year Plan. It aims to boost the economy, improve people's wellbeing, and contribute to the country’s overall development. We must consolidate Hong Kong's status as an international financial, shipping, and trade center, build up its status as a hub for innovation and emerging technology, and leverage Hong Kong's unique advantages to become a magnet for talent," said HKSAR Chief Executive John Lee.
The national 15th Five-Year Plan places great emphasis on technological innovation, and observers believe this will provide a fresh impetus for Hong Kong's own endeavor to become a global innovation and technology hub.
"We will capitalize on our strengths in fundamental research, international talent, and a rule-of-law environment, deeply align with national science and technology frontier projects, coordinate with the industrial chains across the Greater Bay Area, accelerate the transformation of research outcomes into real-world applications, and continuously drive the advancement of new quality productive forces," said Bryan Lin Xiaohui, a business leader who also serves as a member of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC).
As Hong Kong stands at a new historical juncture, community leaders are calling on the whole society to seize the huge opportunities presented by the regional five-year plan, the national 15th Five-Year Plan, and coordinated regional development across the Greater Bay Area, so that the city can present a more open, dynamic and confident face as it moves toward the 30th anniversary of its return next year.
"All sectors of Hong Kong should participate in the public consultation on the five-year plan, offer their insights and suggestions for the city's development, and throw their full support behind its implementation," said Gong Junlong, chairman of the Federation of Hong Kong Guangdong Community Organizations.
"I hope all sectors of society will take full advantage of favorable policies, maintain our resolve and positive momentum, and deliver tangible development outcomes that will open a new chapter for Hong Kong," said Sze Ching Lau, chairman of the Hong Kong Federation of Fujian Associations.
Hong Kong vows to align with national strategy for brighter future
