The 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-30) not only charts the nation’s path toward high-quality development but also reaffirms the central government’s unwavering support for Hong Kong’s unique role under the “one country, two systems” framework.

Hong Kong is not merely a passive beneficiary of national policies but also an active contributor to the country’s modernization, as suggested by the national blueprint. The city is taking concrete steps to align with the national strategy while leveraging its distinct advantages.

Hong Kong has been widely recognized as an international financial, trading, and shipping center, and is striving to build centers for aviation, innovation and technology, cultural exchange, legal and dispute resolution services, and intellectual property trading, which together are dubbed “eight major centers”. Building on this solid foundation, the city is proactively expanding its role into new strategic areas to meet evolving national and global needs, encompassing the following:

An international financial and innovation center. The city is leveraging its common law legal systems, free-flowing capital markets, and global connectivity to support the internationalization of the renminbi. Initiatives such as exploring a renminbi gold pricing and international trading hub and developing Hong Kong into a green finance and carbon trading hub are underway. By actively participating in the construction of the national carbon emissions trading market, Hong Kong aims to contribute to the country’s “dual-carbon” goals while reinforcing Hong Kong’s status as a trusted global asset management center.

A high-value supply chain and professional services hub. The Northern Metropolis development plan is a prime example of Hong Kong’s forward-looking approach. This large-scale project will not only address local housing and land needs but also create a vibrant innovation and technology corridor that dovetails with the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. By enhancing cross-boundary transport, data flow, and industrial collaboration, we are turning Hong Kong into a high-value supply chain and professional services center for the region.

An emerging international education and talent hub. Hong Kong is committed to attracting students, researchers, and professionals from around the world. By strengthening the city’s higher education sector and fostering research and development partnerships, Hong Kong contributes to the nation’s talent pool and supports its innovation-driven growth strategy.

A cultural exchange and dispute resolution center. The city’s trusted common law-based legal system and bilingual environment offer a neutral and efficient platform for international commercial arbitration and cross-border legal cooperation. Local players are keen to share experiences with Chinese-mainland counterparts in areas such as intellectual property protection and the implementation of major legislative efforts.

These roles are interconnected, reinforcing Hong Kong’s position as a superconnector between the mainland and the broader world.

The National Development Planning Law provides a robust legal foundation for Hong Kong’s integration efforts. Article 37 of the law explicitly states: “The State upholds the principle of ‘one country, two systems’, and supports the Hong Kong and Macao Special Administrative Regions in proactively aligning with national development plans and integrating into and serving the national development landscape.”

This clause is profoundly significant. It reaffirms that Hong Kong’s alignment with national planning — including in the formulation of the city’s own five-year development strategies — is premised on the preservation of the SAR’s distinct social and economic systems under the “one country, two systems” principle. As articulated in the Basic Law, Hong Kong maintains its capitalist system and way of life, which differ from the socialist system practiced in the mainland.

Therefore, when we discuss Hong Kong’s five-year planning, we must clearly communicate that it is not a replication of mainland systems but a tailored strategy that respects Hong Kong’s unique legal, economic, and social fabric. This is the true essence of “one country, two systems” — a principle that ensures Hong Kong’s continued vitality while enabling deeper and more effective integration with the mainland.

With the support of the National Development Planning Law and through the city’s own proactive initiatives across multiple sectors, Hong Kong is poised to contribute more significantly than ever to the nation’s rejuvenation

Hong Kong is already translating this strategic alignment into concrete action through the following efforts:

Deepening Hong Kong-mainland connectivity. The city is strengthening institutional and infrastructural links, particularly within the Greater Bay Area, to facilitate the flow of people, goods, capital, and data.

Enhancing governance and legal cooperation. The SAR is committed to improving governance and legal alignment to support national rule of law development, offering a valuable platform for cross-border dispute resolution.

Leveraging its international network. Hong Kong regularly hosts high-level international conferences and forums. These platforms allow the SAR to showcase the nation’s development achievements, promote dialogue under initiatives like the Belt and Road Initiative, and foster greater understanding between China and the broader world.

With the support of the National Development Planning Law and through the city’s own proactive initiatives across multiple sectors, Hong Kong is poised to contribute more significantly than ever to the nation’s rejuvenation. The SAR’s path forward is not about erasing the differences but about embracing them as unique strengths in the shared journey toward a prosperous and modern China.

The author is a member of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, an adviser to the Ministry of Finance, and president of the Hong Kong Institute of Certified Public Accountants.

The views do not necessarily reflect those of China Daily.