Senior officials from the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government held an exchange session with eighth-term Legislative Council members-elect on Thursday morning to discuss enhancing executive-legislative collaboration and advancing the city’s economic development.

The lawmakers-elect said they welcomed the government's extensive new platforms for dialogue as a sign of its strong commitment to executive-legislative cooperation, pledging to work closely with the administration for Hong Kong's future growth.

In his opening remarks, Chief Secretary for Administration Eric Chan Kwok-ki stated that Hong Kong is currently at a critical stage, when it will actively align with the country’s upcoming 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-30) and advance from stability to prosperity. Highlighting the importance of the two branches’ collaboration, he said that LegCo members are an essential part of the SAR's governance team and indispensable partners to the government in driving comprehensive reform and enhancing governance capabilities. He urged lawmakers to remain proactive, responsible, and continue engaging in high-quality deliberation and participation in governing.

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He reaffirmed that economic development remains a top priority and urged lawmakers to pool their efforts toward Hong Kong’s growth, especially by helping the city seize national strategic opportunities and unlock its own development potential.

Chan also urged the incoming lawmakers to demonstrate greater vision and wisdom in reviewing bills, thus helping to introduce more policies and legislation that would boost Hong Kong's competitiveness and market vitality.

As an example, he noted that the financial secretary had already launched the public consultation for the upcoming Budget. He said he expected the lawmakers-elect, who come from diverse sectors and possess far-reaching insights into economic operations, industrial development, and public needs, to come up with valuable suggestions.

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Many important figures attended the session, including Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po and Secretary for Justice Paul Lam Ting-kwok, alongside other senior deputies, bureau directors and secretaries. Approximately 70 lawmakers-elect, including about 30 first-term legislators, engaged in active discussions that got going even before the official opening.

After the meeting, lawmaker-elect Judy Chan Ka-pui said she noted the authorities’ close communication with incumbent legislators, such as the monthly Ante Chamber Exchange Sessions. She also noted that while the government briefs LegCo before rolling out policies, such briefings often occur after decisions are largely settled. She suggested that in future, the government should solicit lawmakers’ views earlier in the policy making process. Chan told media the government had responded positively to her suggestion.

Meanwhile, Kenneth Fok Kai-kong, incumbent lawmaker representing sports, performing arts, culture and publication, remarked that communication mechanisms can “always be improved”. He said he hoped that the government would engage more with legislators, both formally and informally. Fok also noted that he would take the initiative to promote better integration of Hong Kong’s cultural and sports industries into the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.

A total of 90 lawmakers were returned in the eighth-term LegCo election held on Dec 7. Their four-year term will commence on Jan 1.