In a historic first, all Hong Kong lawmakers will attend a planned trip to Beijing in July for a study visit — a trip they described as being of “great historical significance”, which will provide a learning opportunity that is “beyond price”.

It will mark the first collective trip to the country’s capital by all the special administrative region’s lawmakers since the city’s return to the motherland in 1997.

It was revealed at Friday’s Legislative Council House Committee meeting that the lawmakers will arrive in Beijing on July 19 and return to Hong Kong on July 25.

ALSO READ: New LegCo chief vows to integrate HKSAR into national development

The trip includes visits to the Hong Kong and Macao Work Office of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and other “key authorities”, as well as several thematic seminars and site tours for a firsthand look at industries that exemplify the latest advances driven by “new quality productive forces” — central to the country’s vision for innovation-led, high-efficiency economic growth.

The seminar lineup will touch on the country’s guiding principles for State governance, the formulation of the national five-year plans, the country’s geopolitical strategy, national security, and the nationwide “Digital China” initiative.

Meanwhile, strategic industrial frontiers set to be spotlighted during the trip include aerospace, information technology, green transition, new-energy transportation, and artificial intelligence.

Legislators will also have the opportunity during the trip to learn more about the legislative process and supervisory work of the National People’s Congress – the nation’s top legislature, along with the Party authorities’ history and grassroots governance experience.

READ MORE: LegCo finishes report on aligning with national strategy

At Friday’s meeting, lawmaker Gary Chan Hak-kan said that this visit will be of “great help” to LegCo members, and will assist the SAR’s administration in drawing up Hong Kong’s first local five-year plan.

Lawmaker Kenneth Fok Kai-kong said he is looking forward to attending the expert-led seminars and exchange sessions, especially those addressing international geopolitics, national diplomacy, and national security.

“Hong Kong is a crucial bridge city for the country’s dealings with the outside world,” he said. “So, such issues are closely related to Hong Kong’s future development.”

Lawmaker Judy Chan Ka-pui said she expects the visit to offer “a height and depth far beyond the national studies program many legislators have attended in the past”, and described it as a “priceless trip”.

It is estimated the trip will cost about HK$15,600 ($1,991) per lawmaker.

READ MORE: Consultation paper on Hong Kong’s first five-year plan due in Q2

Speaking to China Daily on Friday, Lau Siu-kai, a consultant to the Chinese Association of Hong Kong and Macau Studies, said the trip is much needed, as legislators are now working closely with both the SAR government and the central authorities on Hong Kong’s first local five-year plan.

“All parties concerned must have a common understanding of the nation’s development strategy, Hong Kong’s special strengths, and its development plan, as well as the ways Hong Kong can align itself with the national development strategy,” he said.

“Accordingly, the process of drafting Hong Kong’s first five-year plan will be much smoother.”

The plan, slated for release this year, is part of the city’s broader effort to better dovetail with the nation’s 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-30), and to deepen the integration of its local growth into (and service of) the country’s broader development.

Contact the writer at wanqing@chinadailyhk.com