Hong Kong opens consultation on 5-year plan that echoes mainland China’s playbook
HONG KONG — HONG KONG (AP) — Hong Kong has initiated a public consultation for its forthcoming five-year strategy, a move symbolizing closer alignment with mainland China’s development strategies.
Janice Tse, Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs, announced during a press briefing that China has launched its 15th five-year plan for the period 2026-2030. Hong Kong, known for its hands-off approach to the economy, is now moving towards a more coordinated effort with Beijing’s vision.
Tse emphasized that the city’s plan will align with the national development strategy while maintaining a free-market economy.
“The alignment with the national five-year plan does not mean abandoning the free market,” she explained. “Instead, it provides a clear vision and strategic framework through key policies, which in turn fosters stable and clear market development.”
The public consultation period will run for two months, allowing residents to share their feedback through a dedicated website, email, or traditional mail. The government will also organize events to gather input from residents, political figures, and industries, with a finalized plan expected in the third quarter.
According to Tse, Hong Kong’s focus will be on enhancing its status as a global financial, maritime, and trading hub.
The city authorities are proposing to expedite the development of the Northern Metropolis, a project that envisions establishing a new IT center and university town near Shenzhen, a major tech hub in China.
Additionally, there are plans to further develop the Greater Bay Area, an initiative by Beijing aimed at creating an integrated business and economic zone encompassing Hong Kong, Macao, and nine other mainland cities.
In a statement on June 9, Hong Kong’s leader John Lee emphasized that the five-year plan will enhance the synergy between a proactive government and an efficient market to boost competitiveness.
The plan is also expected to provide residents with insights into personal development opportunities and facilitate business planning, according to Lee.
An official from Beijing overseeing Hong Kong and Macao affairs is scheduled to arrive in the city for a two-day visit to assess the alignment of the financial hub with the national plan for 2026-2030 and to promote the development of the Northern Metropolis.
John Burns, a professor of politics and public administration at the University of Hong Kong, noted that the city’s lack of strategic planning has been a disadvantage in the past. However, he also expressed skepticism about the efficacy of public consultations in Hong Kong due to the government’s reluctance to change course based on public feedback.
“This is the government’s attempt to present a local five-year plan that aligns with central government priorities to the community,” Burns remarked, highlighting the absence of specific targets and timelines in the consultation document.
Since its handover to China in 1997, Hong Kong has deepened its integration with the mainland through economic, cultural, and infrastructural ties. Despite maintaining its own government and legal system under the “one country, two systems” framework, China’s influence in the city has grown.
Following the anti-government protests in 2019, Beijing imposed a national security law in Hong Kong, citing the need for stability, but effectively suppressing dissent. Many prominent activists have been imprisoned under this law, and the city’s legislature now comprises mostly Beijing loyalists following electoral reforms.
