Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee stated on September 17 during a Legislative Council question-and-answer session on the city's first Five-Year Plan and the 2026 Policy Address that this year marks the inaugural year of the nation's "15th Five-Year Plan" and a pivotal moment for Hong Kong's transition from stability to prosperity. The introduction of the first Five-Year Plan for Hong Kong signals a new phase of public governance characterized by more macro-level strategic planning, long-term vision, and reform-driven innovation.

This milestone plan proactively aligns with the national "15th Five-Year Plan" framework, fully leveraging Hong Kong's unique dual advantages under the "One Country, Two Systems" principle, where the city can simultaneously capitalize on both national opportunities and international prospects. It also embodies the government's mindset transformation in recognizing, adapting to, and driving change during the journey toward prosperity.

According to Lee, the national "15th Five-Year Plan" designates Hong Kong with the strategic status of "four centers and one highland," emphasizing the consolidation and enhancement of Hong Kong's positions as an international financial, shipping, and trade center, as well as an international aviation hub. The plan also calls for building an international innovation and technology center, establishing a highland for international talent aggregation, and leveraging international advantages to provide clear guidance for Hong Kong's vibrant economic and social development.

The first Five-Year Plan for Hong Kong comprises seven parts and 28 chapters, focusing on six key areas: strengthening the "four centers and one highland" development to enhance international competitiveness; accelerating the Northern Metropolis development to optimize Hong Kong's spatial framework; deepening participation in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area development to build global cooperation networks; improving people's livelihood and enhancing the social security system; coordinating development and security to raise public governance effectiveness; and strengthening implementation mechanisms for the Five-Year Plan. Additionally, the full document is built around five clear objectives: achieving new breakthroughs in economic development; enhancing international competitiveness and influence; accelerating the Northern Metropolis construction; significantly improving people's livelihood and well-being; and making major progress in integrating into and serving the national development agenda.

Lee emphasized that the first Five-Year Plan represents Hong Kong's comprehensive blueprint for economic and social development over the next five years, serving as a forward-looking, strategic, and directional guiding document. The 2026 Policy Address functions as the annual action plan to implement the Five-Year Plan's provisions. Illustrating with indicators, the Five-Year Plan establishes 105 targets, including 22 major indicators in the first part, 57 working indicators distributed across various special columns, and 26 working indicators articulated within chapter texts. Meanwhile, the Policy Address sets 284 indicators spanning 83 areas, aligning with the Five-Year Plan's direction and requirements while detailing major projects determined by the Chief Executive based on Hong Kong's actual circumstances.

Lee stressed that the ultimate purpose of governance is improving people's livelihood, which requires resources derived from economic development that creates employment and entrepreneurship opportunities. The government promotes industrial diversification, drives upgrading and transformation, and pursues high-quality development to generate greater economic dividends that all citizens can share, leading to better lives and genuinely enhanced well-being. He emphasized that the first Five-Year Plan is a collective blueprint belonging to Hong Kong and every citizen. He expressed confidence that by steadily progressing along the Five-Year Plan's blueprint and rigorously implementing the Policy Address's policy measures, Hong Kong can collectively usher in a brighter new chapter.