The State Council’s Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office on Thursday urged all sectors in the Hong Kong and Macao special administrative regions to proactively align with the nation’s 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-30), and leverage their unique strengths and the country’s support to achieve new progress in the new year.
An article written under the name “Gang Aoping” and posted on the office’s social media account also reaffirmed the central authorities’ unwavering commitment to implementing “one country, two systems” and safeguarding the long-term prosperity and stability of the two SARs.
The article was published on New Year’s Day as nationwide celebrations ushered in 2026.
It cited President Xi Jinping’s New Year message delivered on Wednesday night in which the president expressed his deep care for the advancement of Hong Kong and Macao, as well as his earnest expectations of the two cities’ deeper integration into national development blueprints.
Under Xi’s leadership and guidance, the article said the two SARs have lived up to expectations and moved in unity in the past year, achieving several milestones in safeguarding national security, improving governance effectiveness, pursuing economic development, and improving people’s livelihood.
Through greater alignment with national development strategies and efforts to boost international competitiveness, Hong Kong and Macao have moved their development to a higher level, the article said.
It listed Hong Kong’s notable achievements last year, such as the operation of the Hong Kong Park of the Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Cooperation Zone, the establishment of the headquarters of the International Organization for Mediation, and the city’s stronger appeals to professionals, companies and visitors worldwide.
Macao also made solid economic diversification progress, highlighted by growth in traditional Chinese medicine, modern finance, high-tech industries, and the conference and exhibition sectors, along with faster and higher-quality development of the Guangdong-Macao In-Depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin.
ALSO READ: Nation’s backing for HK, Macao SARs will be ‘stronger, wider’
The article noted that both cities have delivered tangible results in improving people’s livelihood and taken decisive actions to safeguard national security, adding that the successful conclusion of the legislative elections in Hong Kong and Macao marked a milestone in consolidating and advancing high-quality democracy under “one country, two systems”.
It said Hong Kong responded effectively and decisively to the deadly fire in Tai Po District in November that caused serious harm and distress to the community. The Hong Kong SAR government had acted swiftly in carrying out rescue and relief work with professionalism and efficiency, and firefighter Ho Wai-ho gave his life while bravely battling the blaze and saving others.
Timely resource support and practical help have also been offered by all walks of life in Hong Kong and relevant central authorities and regions across the country, fully demonstrating the city’s unity, resilience and the enduring “Lion Rock Spirit”, as well as the deep bonds among compatriots, the article said.
Recalling the extraordinary journey in 2025, the article urged both cities to move forward with renewed resolve towards fresh new opportunities in 2026, particularly those brought by the top-level planning and strategic direction for national economic and social development under the 15th Five-Year Plan.
The formulation and implementation of the 15th Five-Year Plan will bring significant new opportunities to the development of the two SARs, it said, adding that the plan also embodies the central government’s unwavering commitment to “one country, two systems” and emphasis on safeguarding the long-term prosperity and stability of Hong Kong and Macao.
With the full support of the central government and the Chinese mainland, the article believes the two SARs will unite and lead all sectors of society to proactively align with the 15th Five-Year Plan, give full play to their unique strengths and important roles, and better integrate into and serve the overall national development strategy.
READ MORE: President’s reaffirmation supports growth of HK, Macao SARs
In so doing, Hong Kong and Macao will achieve new and greater progress and make even greater contributions in the grand journey of building a great country and advancing national rejuvenation on all fronts through Chinese modernization, the article said.
