Published: 15:32, September 16, 2026 | Updated: 20:09, September 16, 2026
Blueprint for tomorrow
By Wang Zhan in Hong Kong
Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu (left, on dais), sitting next to President of the Legislative Council Starry Lee Wai-king, delivers the First Five-Year Plan for Economic and Social Development of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (2026-2030) and the 2026 Policy Address, in Hong Kong on Sept 16, 2026. (ADAM LAM/CHINA DAILY)
Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu unveiled Hong Kong's maiden five-year plan on Wednesday, alongside the Policy Address.
The plan is the SAR government's major initiative to uphold and strengthen the executive-led system, improve governance effectiveness, and meet the city's strategic planning needs by proactively aligning with national development strategies.
Lee identified seven key principles underlying the city's first five-year plan.
They are: adhering to the "one country, two systems" principle; remaining committed to a livelihood-oriented approach; upholding an executive-led system; embracing reform and innovation; upholding the two-pronged approach of "effective market" and "capable government"; adopting a holistic approach to development and security; and a pragmatic and proactive planning approach.
China Daily's Adam Lam, Andy Chong and Edmond Tangtook the photos on Wednesday.
Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu delivers the First Five-Year Plan for Economic and Social Development of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (2026-2030) and the 2026 Policy Address at the Legislative Council in Hong Kong on Sept 16, 2026. (ANDY CHONG/CHINA DAILY)Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu greets the media after delivering First Five-Year Plan for Economic and Social Development of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (2026-2030) and the 2026 Policy Address, at the Legislative Council in Hong Kong on Sept 16, 2026. (ANDY CHONG/CHINA DAILY)Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu greets the media after delivering the First Five-Year Plan for Economic and Social Development of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (2026-2030) and the 2026 Policy Address at the Legislative Council in Hong Kong on Sept 16, 2026. (ANDY CHONG/CHINA DAILY)Eric Chan Kwok-ki, chief secretary for administration, speaks during a media briefing on the First Five-Year Plan for Economic and Social Development of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (2026-2030) and the Chief Executive’s 2026 Policy Address at the Legislative Council in Hong Kong on Sept 16, 2026. (ADAM LAM/ CHINA DAILY)Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po speaks during a media briefing on the First Five-Year Plan for Economic and Social Development of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (2026-2030) and the Chief Executive’s 2026 Policy Address at the Legislative Council in Hong Kong on Sept 16, 2026. (ADAM LAM/CHINA DAILY)Members of the Executive Council speak during a media briefing on the First Five-Year Plan for Economic and Social Development of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (2026-2030) and the Chief Executive’s 2026 Policy Address at the Legislative Council in Hong Kong on Sept 16, 2026. (ADAM LAM/CHINA DAILY)Members of the C15+ alliance in the Legislative Council pose for a photo during a media briefing on the First Five-Year Plan for Economic and Social Development of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (2026-2030) and the Chief Executive’s 2026 Policy Address at the Legislative Council in Hong Kong on Sept 16, 2026. (ADAM LAM/CHINA DAILY)Group of 19 LegCo members pose for a photo during the media briefing on the First Five-Year Plan for Economic and Social Development of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (2026-2030) and the Chief Executive’s 2026 Policy Address at the Legislative Council in Hong Kong on Sept 16, 2026. (ADAM LAM/CHINA DAILY)Members of the Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong pose for a photo during the media briefing on the First Five-Year Plan for Economic and Social Development of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (2026-2030) and the Chief Executive’s 2026 Policy Address at the Legislative Council in Hong Kong on Sept 16, 2026. (ADAM LAM/CHINA DAILY)People wait in line to obtain hard copies of the 2026 Policy Address and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region's first-ever five-year plan outside the Home Affairs Enquiry Centre in Wan Chai on Sept 16, 2026. (EDMOND TANG/CHINA DALY)
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