Hong Kong's first five-year plan highlights innovation, cooperation, people's livelihood: official

A member of the Legislative Council of China's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) has highlighted the significance of the SAR's first five-year plan for economic, social development (2026-2030) released on Wednesday, emphasizing its comprehensive approach to fostering innovation, improving livelihoods, and strengthening regional cooperation.

In an interview with China Global Television Network (CGTN) on Wednesday, Sunny Tan, member and also chairman of the Hong Kong Productivity Council, pointed out the extensive public consultation process that underpins the plan in discussing the government's collaborative research and public consultation mechanism.

"During our consultation period, in fact, we have received over 570 different comments and proposals, and we have received over 4,000 people around different industries, different stakeholders. This is a big project for us given we had very short time in consulting with a lot of stakeholders, not to mention that the chief executive has himself and his team in meeting with all the stakeholders in Hong Kong," said Tan.

Hong Kong will consolidate and enhance its status as an international financial, maritime and trade center, and develop itself into an international I and T center and a global hub for high-caliber talent, thus sharpening its competitive edge, according to the plan.

Tan emphasized the plan's focus on driving industrial advancement, including new industrialization, intelligent manufacturing and digital transformation.

"Under the Five-Year Plan, we can see that the chief executive puts a lot emphasis on the innovation and technology sector. At the same time, he's also putting focus on the manufacturing and industrialization. All this important industrial development is needed for the future of Hong Kong. The Five-Year Plan provided a clear pathway and view as to how we can connect our industrial development to our country's 15th Five-Year Plan," he said.

Tan further underlined that the plan extends beyond economic development to address fundamental social issues as the plan also vows to enhance social well-being and refine the social protection framework.

"I think this is very important and I would say this is also a very fundamental question that the government has to provide a good answer. Having the living standards to be improved, I think, is quite a common desire for people in Hong Kong. I can say that the chief executive, throughout the years and for the next five years, has been putting a lot of efforts with a lot of innovation, and also with technology and with certain policies in creating a better demands and supplies for housing, and also pushing forward a lot of reform in making our living standards better and better," said Tan.

Meanwhile, efforts will also be made to expedite the development of the Northern Metropolis, deepen the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and create an international collaboration network, according to the plan.

Tan highlighted regional cooperation as a pivotal element of the development strategy, particularly the integrated development with the cities in the Greater Bay Area.

"I think this is truly, truly important to Hong Kong. Because Hong Kong, at the end, is only a seven million population city, to be competitive in terms of different type of industries, the regional cooperation will be the key to be competitive. Especially for GBA - Greater Bay Area - where Hong Kong is one of the cities. I think by having close cooperation with them, we can all leverage our strengths in building a globally competitive supply chain," Tan said.

Hong Kong's first five-year plan highlights innovation, cooperation, people's livelihood: official

China has made full preparations for the upcoming autumn grain procurement as the summer procurement approaches its end, according to the National Food and Strategic Reserves Administration.

For now, the country's total amount of wheat procurement has exceeded 100 million tons.

To protect grain farmers' interests, the government has promptly activated the minimum purchase price program for wheat. Sinograin has opened 164 purchasing sites across two major producing provinces of Henan and Anhui, offering to buy wheat at prices supported by the policy without any volume cap.

"The payment for my grain came through quickly today, and I feel much more at ease now that the minimum purchase price policy has been put into effect," said Hou Erwei, a local farmer.

As the autumn grain crop gradually ripens across the coutry, the autumn grain purchasing season is about to begin, expected to run from late September through the end of April next year.

The Autumn season accounts for approximately three-quarters of the country’s total annual grain purchases, making it the most significant grain procurement and storage period of the year.

This year, grain dryers and smart grain-handling equipment have been included into subsidy, helping ensure that the autumn harvest can be purchased, stored, and transported smoothly.

"At present, grain storage capacity, purchasing funds, personnel, equipment, and other resources are all in place. It is expected that grain purchases during this year's peak autumn harvest season will reach approximately 350 million tons. We will strengthen market monitoring and information dissemination, as well as make effective use of the drying and other services provided by post-harvest grain service centers to help farmers reduce losses and increase their incomes," said Luo Shouquan, director of Grain Reserves Department, National Food and Strategic Reserves Administration.

China ready for autumn grain procurement as summer purchase draws to close