In particular, the Club supports the inclusion of horse-racing tourism as a development direction in Hong Kong's First Five-Year Plan, and thanks the HKSAR Government for its continued support in positioning the sport as a distinctive tourism experience that showcases Hong Kong’s unique character and international appeal.
Following the policy direction in the 2024 Policy Address, the Club has been working closely with the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau, the Hong Kong Tourism Board, and the tourism sector with a view to promoting horse-racing tourism. The inclusion of horse-racing tourism in Hong Kong's First Five-Year Plan provides further impetus for this work.
The Hong Kong Jockey Club
The Club also supports the 2026 Policy Address measures to deepen the integrated development of culture, sports and tourism through joint initiatives that enhance their appeal, generate value-adding momentum and further solidify Hong Kong’s position as the Events Capital of Asia.
In support of the National 15th Five-Year Plan and in alignment with The First Five-Year Plan for Economic and Social Development of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, The Hong Kong Jockey Club is pleased to announce that its Charities Trust has approved in principle a donation of HK$3 billion to support the construction of a Life and Health Academic Research Building at the Northern Metropolis University Town. The initiative follows HKSAR Chief Executive John Lee’s annual Policy Address delivered today (16 September), in which he announced the construction of an integrated teaching and scientific research building in the Northern Metropolis. The facility will focus on education, scientific exchange and nurturing research talent, and will provide shared facilities for tertiary institutions.
Chief Executive, Mr. John Lee unveiled the Hong Kong's First Five-Year Plan and 2026 Policy Address on September 16. Photo source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
The Hon Martin Liao, Chairman of The Hong Kong Jockey Club, said,“2026 marks the commencement of the nation's 15th Five-Year Plan,while 2027 will see the 30th anniversary of the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. As a patriotic world-class horse sports organisation, as well as a charity institution deeply committed to our country and Hong Kong, the Club is honoured to work alongside the HKSAR Government to support the long-term development, prosperity and progress of Hong Kong as it advances from stability to greater prosperity and success.”
The Hon Martin Liao, Chairman of The Hong Kong Jockey Club, Photo source: HKJC
Situated in Hong Kong Park in the Hetao Co-Operation Zone, the Life and Health Academic Research Building will provide more than 30,000 square metres of gross floor space in support of life and health science research. Further details of the project will be announced in due course.
The new building reflects the Club’s longstanding commitment to nurturing cutting-edge talent and research. For example, the JC STEM Lab initiative, launched in 2021, supports state-of-the-art laboratories that attract leading researchers, nurture STEM talent and translate scientific discoveries into solutions with societal impact. Building on this commitment, the Club launched the JC STEM Early Career Research Fellowship for Translation and Application in 2024, providing promising early-career researchers with funding, capacity-building and industry exposure to turn innovative ideas into impactful real-world applications. Meanwhile, the Jockey Club One Health Tower at City University of Hong Kong is advancing interdisciplinary education and research in veterinary medicine and life sciences. Together, these initiatives underscore the Club’s dedication, in collaboration with the HKSAR Government, academia and research institutions, to translating learning and innovations into tangible solutions that serve the community-at-large.
The design image of the Northern Metropolis University Town, Photo source: HKSAR Government
The Club’s support for Life and Health Academic Research Building, like all of its charity and community initiatives, is made possible by its unique value creation model through which racing and wagering generate tax contributions, charity support and employment opportunities for the community.
The Hong Kong Jockey Club, Photo by Bastille Post
