Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu on Wednesday — the 29th anniversary of Hong Kong’s return to the motherland — said the special administrative region government will accelerate the formulation of the city's first five-year plan and the development of the Northern Metropolis to consolidate Hong Kong’s advantages.
Lee was speaking at a reception to mark the city’s return anniversary.
Lee stressed that the local five-year plan is the vehicle for the principle of people-based governance, and embraces economy, infrastructure, healthcare, education, and housing.
Lee also pledged to speed up the development of the Northern Metropolis — a key component of the government's dual-metropolis city development model, with the construction goals centered on a university town, a cluster of industry and technology development, and a pleasant environment for living, working, and tourism.
The project will be a breakthrough point for Hong Kong's development, he said.
This year marks the fifth and final year of Lee’s current term. He reviewed his administration’s works over the past four years, saying it has transformed government culture and fostered a results-oriented mindset to tackle long-standing issues.
The government has built a safe and stable Hong Kong by fulfilling the historic task of enacting local national security legislation under Article 23 of the Basic Law and strengthening the shield of national security, as well as fully implementing the principle of “patriots administering Hong Kong” with the improved the electoral system and strengthened district governance.
On the economic front, Lee said the city has shifted from a negative growth of 3.7 percent, when the current-term government took office, to a positive growth of 3.6 percent in 2025. In the latest World Competitiveness Ranking, Hong Kong's position has risen one spot higher to rank second globally. In the World Talent Ranking, Hong Kong has moved up 10 places to rank fourth globally. Hong Kong also continues to be rated the world's freest economy, he added.
The SAR government will further strive to improve people's livelihoods to ensure a harmonious, stable, caring, and inclusive society endures, he said. Lee added that he believes that with the unique advantages of the "one country, two systems" framework, Hong Kong can achieve better development with the nation.
A video featuring the city’s first astronaut, payload specialist Lai Ka-ying, was played at the reception, in which Lai, who now works at the national space station Tiangong, said she hoped Hong Kong would become more prosperous and stable with the nation’s support.
Before the reception, Lee and senior SAR government officials attended a flag-raising ceremony held at Golden Bauhinia Square at 8 am, joined by Executive Council members and community leaders.
The Police Band performed at the ceremony, and a choir from Belilios Public School and Queen's College sang the national anthem under the lead of singers Albert Lim and Vivian Yau, followed by a fly-past and a sea parade by the disciplined services.
Wednesday also marks the 105th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China. The Hong Kong SAR government will host a series of events to celebrate the anniversary and enhance residents’ understanding of national development, with details to be announced later in the day.
Contact the writer at atlasshao@chinadailyhk.com
