Consultation for HK's first five-year plan begins

Hong Kong on Monday launched a two-month public consultation for its first five-year plan, with the goal of publishing it in the third quarter of the year. Speaking to the media, Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs Janice Tse said the aim is to better align with the nation’s 15th Five-Year Plan. “Through this, we will better align ourselves with and serve national development, as well as seize the new opportunities,” she said. “The Hong Kong five-year plan is strategic, forward-looking and operable. It lays out our goals for the next five years.” Tse said the blueprint will focus on various aspects, such as the city’s unique advantages under One Country, Two Systems and livelihood issues. She added that the city's five-year plan, the policy address and the budget will complement one another. “The SAR government will organically integrate Hong Kong's five-year plan with the annual policy address and budget. “The yearly policy planning and prioritisation of financial resources will help foster our key development and visions under the five-year plan, so as to achieve them step by step and drive forward Hong Kong's future development.” Tse said the blueprint and its alignment with the country's Five-Year Plan would not replace Hong Kong's free market economy. Instead, it establishes a clear strategic plan and vision for the market to develop in a more stable and transparent manner. Writing on social media, Chef Executive John Lee described the drafting of the plan as “historic” and carries “great significance”. Lee said the government hopes to obtain everyone's views when drafting the blueprint. By better aligning with and serving the nation’s development, Hong Kong can serve as a bridge that connects the mainland and global markets to promote high-quality development and enable the public to share more of the benefits, he said. The government will hold consultation sessions over the next two months to gather society's views. The public consultation document is available at Home Affairs Enquiry Centres across the city. People can also submit their views on a thematic website or by email until August 14. Edited by Edmond Fong