Author: MIL-OSI Publisher

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

(C) Deepen Healthcare System Reform

297. The Government is pressing ahead with healthcare system reform and restructuring the functions and division of work among the HA, the DH and the PHC Commission. The goal is to establish a new healthcare model that emphasises prevention and integrates prevention with treatment. We will continue to deepen the reform, fully aligning with the national health-first development strategy and the opportunities presented by the 15th Five-Year Plan, while taking active public health measures, to consolidate Hong Kong’s status as an international health and medical innovation hub and ensure that the outcomes of the reform are widely shared.

Strengthen Primary Healthcare Services

298. The Government will improve community healthcare and disease-prevention services:

(i) Upgrade the DHC Expresses in Wan Chai and Kwun Tong to DHCs, starting next year, and continue to upgrade other DHC Expresses.
(ii) Implement the phased integration of Elderly Health Centre services from the end of this year. Measures include more than doubling the service capacity for elderly health assessments, reducing the maximum waiting time by two-thirds, and providing similar services for underprivileged elderly through designated HA Family Medicine Clinics (FMCs).
(iii) Provide about 220 000 additional HA’s Family Medicine Out-patient service quotas each year, starting next year, including around 10 000 quotas for evening out-patient service, to meet local demand. We will improve the provision of preventive screening and care services targeting the “three highs”, hepatitis B and women’s health for underprivileged groups at designated FMCs. We will boost co-operation between primary and secondary healthcare. In parallel, training for primary healthcare professionals will be strengthened to raise service quality.
(iv) Set up a co-ordination platform for public and private primary healthcare services to pilot the unified release of evening and public holiday consultation information for public and private out-patient clinics.
(v) Roll out the Community Pharmacy Programme from the end of this year, with the first phase covering four districts³¹ and progressively extending across the city. In parallel, launch the Community Drug Formulary and gradually increase the number of drugs covered.
(vi) Starting from next year, provide preventive primary oral healthcare services for specified high-risk groups at designated DHCs/DHC Expresses, and expand the Healthy Teeth Collaboration to offer outreach preventive oral healthcare services for residents of designated residential care homes for persons with disabilities (PWDs).
(vii) Publish the “Life-course Health Promotion Strategy” and monitor local health data, encouraging the public to accept primary responsibility for their own health and promote population-wide health management across different life stages.

Enhance Public Healthcare System

299. After the relocation of Queen Elizabeth Hospital to Kai Tak, the HA will develop Hong Kong’s first integrated ambulatory care hospital at King’s Park. The first phase will include a high-capacity ambulatory cataract surgery centre, a high-capacity ambulatory radiology centre and an ambulatory radiotherapy centre. With the commissioning of the cataract surgery centre in the fourth quarter of next year, annual service capacity will increase by about 5 500³². With annotation and triage at the ambulatory radiology centre to be carried out with AI, the annual service capacity for computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging will increase by about 40% compared to general facilities. The increase in service capacity at the radiotherapy centre will also accelerate treatment procedures for cancer patients.

300. All hospital development projects under the Government’s First Hospital Development Plan are expected to be completed by 2031. By then, the number of beds in public hospitals will increase by 17% to about 35 000, while the number of operating theatres will increase by 44% to around 360. We will publish the Second Hospital Development Plan during the current-term Government and initiate projects in an orderly manner.

301. The HA will implement the Hong Kong Cancer Strategy, raising diagnostic imaging capacity and applying AI to assist with diagnosis and advanced laboratory testing. It will increase radiotherapy service capacity and expedite the introduction of new cancer drugs through public healthcare fees and charges reform, while stable and low-risk cancer survivors will be referred to primary healthcare, with multi-disciplinary palliative care and end-of-life services to be strengthened.

302. The HA has set a target to shorten the waiting time³³ for the first consultation of stable new cases in specified specialist³⁴ out-patient services by half in five years, with the waiting time of specified specialties to be reduced by 10% in 2027-28 in the first phase. By “narrowing upstream, collaborating downstream, diverting midstream”, unnecessary referrals will be avoided and stable follow-up cases diverted to primary healthcare. The HA will also expand multi-disciplinary, integrated clinical services, optimise appointment arrangements and enhance service capacity.

303. The first phase of public healthcare fees and charges reform was implemented in January this year to increase protection for poor, acute, serious and critical patients, yielding immediate results, as follows:

(i) Accident and emergency services have become smoother, with a significant decrease in the number of non-urgent cases; fees for critical and emergency cases are fully exempted.
(ii) The number of beneficiaries of full medical fee waivers has surged, from under 14 000 a year in the past to more than 250 000, providing free medical services to more low-income families.
(iii) The burden on serious patients has been eased, with their annual spending capped at $10,000 and requiring no financial assessment. Over 17 000 patients have been granted a full medical fee waiver for the remainder, preventing impoverishment due to illness.
(iv) Accelerated the introduction and increased subsidisation for innovative drugs and medical devices. The HA has introduced 16 new drugs into the Drug Formulary and included 53 new drugs and medical devices³⁵ under the subsidisation scope of the Samaritan Fund safety net.

Strengthen Professional Regulation of Healthcare Services

304. The Government will introduce into the LegCo a regulation to improve the price transparency of private healthcare services by the end of the year and draw up codes of practice, setting out requirements on price information, budget estimates and billing statistics.

305. The Government will advance the scrutiny of the Medical Registration (Amendment) Bill 2026 by the LegCo to reform the Medical Council of Hong Kong (MCHK), and raise the manpower and system support for the MCHK and other healthcare professional regulatory bodies.

306. The Government will continue to support the IMACE in publishing clinical guidelines and devising service quality and efficiency standards for public and private healthcare sectors. The IMACE plans to publish clinical guidelines on the management of hyperlipidemia and percutaneous coronary intervention by the end of the year.

Continuously Implement eHealth+

307. Over 6.5 million citizens have registered with eHealth, accounting for 87% of Hong Kong’s population. In the past year, the monthly number of electronic health records deposited by private healthcare providers increased by over 110%, to about 1.45 million. More than 44 000 citizens have used eHealth to enable the sharing of cross-boundary medical records.

308. The Government will further facilitate the deposit of electronic health records by private healthcare providers, expand the cross-boundary sharing of medical records and enhance the nine core functions, including eMedication and eMedical Certificate.

Press Ahead with the Establishment of the Third Medical School

309. The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) is moving ahead with the establishment of Hong Kong’s third medical school. The Medical Education and Research Complex at the Clear Water Bay campus will be completed by mid-2028 to admit the first cohort of students.

310. On using Kai Tak Hospital as the interim teaching hospital, the Government is exploring teaching arrangements with the HKUST and the HA. We are also pressing ahead with the integrated design and co-ordinated construction of the medical school campus and the integrated teaching and research hospital in the San Tin University Town.

Promote the Development of Inheritance and Innovation in Chinese Medicine

311. The Government will continue to implement the Chinese Medicine Development Blueprint. The annual out-patient service volume of the CMHHK will be increased from 60 000 to over 140 000 attendances in the first year. The Government Chinese Medicines Testing Institute will continue to formulate Chinese Materia Medica Standards, which align with international standards and develop innovative Chinese medicine-testing technologies. Future development measures include:

(i) Starting from the end of the year, the CMHHK will launch 24-hour in-patient services, provide additional day beds, increase out-patient service capacity, introduce more special disease programmes, begin related research, and set up a clinical trial and research centre. In addition, clinical training opportunities for local students and more subsidised training posts for registered Chinese medicine practitioners will be provided. The International Consortium of Herb-Drug Interaction will be officially established to promote research and clinical application of herb-drug interactions.
(ii) The Chinese Medicine Clinics cum Training and Research Centres based in all 18 districts will roll out pilot out-patient services for special diseases.
(iii) We will continue to develop HA’s integrated Chinese-Western Medicine (ICWM) services, including regularising a “knee osteoarthritis” pilot programme, expanding ICWM services to day-care services, and refining the “cancer care” pilot programme.
(iv) We will sponsor regional and international Chinese Medicine conferences and exhibitions.

Sustain Efforts in Tobacco Control

312. The Government will fully implement the duty stamp system by the end of next year to effectively distinguish duty-paid from duty-not-paid cigarettes. The plain-packaging requirement on conventional smoking products will be introduced at the same time.

Promote Mental Health

313. The Government will adopt an integrated approach to promoting 11 mental health measures:

(i) Continue to implement the Three-Tier School-based Emergency Mechanism in Primary Four to Six on a trial basis in the 2026/27 school year and enhance the related support services, strengthening training for school professionals to facilitate early identification of and support for students with higher suicidal risk.
(ii) Provide teacher training on catering for students’ mental health needs, and organise programmes relating to the physical and psychological well-being of teachers.
(iii) Set up an additional Integrated Community Centre for Mental Wellness in the NM to dovetail with population growth.
(iv) Enhance the function of the Cyber Youth Support Teams by strengthening their co-operation with schools and community networks to support the emotional and psychological needs of students, conduct assessments and take follow-up action immediately after receiving cases involving students with higher suicidal risk and in emotional distress.
(v) Extend the Healthy Mind Pilot Project to all existing DHCs before mid-2027, improve frontline staff training, provide more timely assessments or referrals, organise more outreach activities and step up promotion and publicity.
(vi) The PHC Commission will study public-private partnerships and other approaches to encourage more cross-disciplinary professionals, including family doctors, to provide mental health services.
(vii) The Government has endorsed the framework for the Stepped Care Model on Mental Health submitted by the Advisory Committee on Mental Health. The next step is to consider setting competency standards and designing training courses for mental health practitioners, co-ordinating the distribution of duties among departments, and drawing up details for full implementation.
(viii) The Advisory Committee on Mental Health will explore the possibility of setting up a mental health experience exhibition in the urban area to promote mental health and eliminate social prejudices.
(ix) Through the Hong Kong Jockey Club “Chief Executive Community Project List”, the Government will fund a series of mental health support projects enabling clear identification, early intervention and enhanced support. We expect the projects to benefit over 30 000 persons.
(x) Launch a Mental Health Literacy Resource Package for Parents and organise parent education programmes³⁶ relating to student mental health.
(xi) Attract more organisations and their staff to join the Mental Health Workplace Charter and encourage the organisations to optimise their staff training content.

(D) Enhance and Diversify the Housing System

314. The current-term Government is pressing ahead with a public housing policy geared towards advancing quantity, speed, efficiency and quality, to expedite the fulfilment of housing needs for low-income families and, in an orderly manner, tackle the big and difficult housing issues that have lingered for years. Since the implementation of the BHU regime in March this year, we have been steadily advancing towards the eradication of substandard SDUs.

315. We will continue to increase public housing supply on all fronts, while enhancing the housing ladder to enable people of different income groups to realise home ownership, thereby fundamentally building a new paradigm of more sustainable, multi-strata housing supply in Hong Kong.

Continuous Pursuit of Land Development

316. In the next decade (i.e. from 2027-28 to 2036-37), the Government will prepare about 2 500 hectares of “spade-ready sites” to build up the land reserve and meet the demand for economic development and the community’s housing needs, thus retaining control over land supply. Of these sites, it is expected that some 1 400 hectares will be produced in the next five years, including about 1 000 hectares in the NM.

Supply of Land for Private Housing Development

317. The Government will take account the overall situation to determine the pace of land disposal and co-ordinate other land supply sources to meet housing demand in the next 10 years according to the Long Term Housing Strategy and other land requirements.

Release Industrial Land in Urban Areas

318. The DEVB will make reference to the Study on Utilisation of Existing Industrial Stock, which is underway, to explore the release of more industrial land in urban areas and make recommendations by the end of the year, including the way forward for the Revitalisation Scheme for Industrial Buildings.

Review on Urban Renewal Policy

319. In August, the DEVB introduced measures to use newly developed land for urban renewal³⁷. To enable the Urban Renewal Authority (URA) to pursue redevelopment in a sustainable manner, the DEVB and the URA are conducting a policy review, offering recommendations for commencing consultation in 2027.

Control Construction Costs

320. The DEVB has rolled out various initiatives to lower construction costs, achieving an annual saving of about $4 billion³⁸ for public works projects. Hong Kong’s ranking has dropped to 16th globally this year, falling out of the top 10 for the first time, according to the International Construction Cost Index. The Government will, among others, adopt innovative procurement models, enhance Hong Kong’s construction standards and introduce more AI solutions to further lower construction costs.

Increase Public Housing Supply

321. The current-term Government has laid a solid foundation for, and is entering the harvesting phase of, public housing production. In the next five years, from 2027 28, public housing production will exceed 35 000 units a year on average, an increase of about 73% compared with the five-year period since I took office.

322. Since the launch of the innovative LPH, upon my assumption of office, about 26 000 units have largely been completed with intake already underway, benefitting around 14 000 PRH applicants and their families. The remaining some 4 000 units will be successively completed before the end of March next year. All 30 000 LPH units will be completed in slightly over four years, ahead of the five-year target set out in my 2022 Policy Address.

323. The overall CWT was 4.8 years as of the end of June this year. That is more than one year shorter compared with the peak of 6.1 years before the current-term Government took office. Over the same period, there were about 100 500 general applications for PRH, and around 81 000 non-elderly one-person applications under the Quota and Points System. These numbers, when measured against their respective highest levels at 156 400 and 143 700, represent a significant drop by over 30% and over 40% respectively, demonstrating that the waiting queue for PRH is being effectively shortened.

324. The current-term Government has been combatting PRH abuse to prevent the mismatch and waste of PRH resources. As of June 2026, the HKHA has recovered around 10 500 PRH flats from tenancy abuse and breach of tenancy agreement or housing policies. This is equivalent to two large housing estates comparable to the size of Kai Ching Estate, and has enabled the early intake of over 10 000 families on the waiting list, yielding savings of over $10.5 billion in construction costs financed by public money.

Enhance Subsidised Sale Flats

325. The HKHA’s new SSF projects, in accordance with the “Well-being” Design Guide, are equipped with multi-functional recreational and sports spaces, communal spaces, elderly-friendly facilities and green spaces designed for intergenerational integration. The HKHA will continue to improve the design of SSF to better meet modern living styles, including improving natural lighting and adopting an open kitchen design in suitable units for two-to-three person households.

326. Last year’s Policy Address announced the relaxation of the alienation restriction period to 10 years for new SSFs offered for sale. To encourage upward mobility on the housing ladder, we will also shorten the alienation restriction period to 10 years for SSFs first put up for sale between 2022 and 2025.

Eradicate Substandard Subdivided Units and Implement the Basic Housing Unit Regime

327. Since March this year, the BHU regime has been rolled out in phases under the principle of “registration first, enforcement later”. Responses to our call for grace-period registration have been positive. The HB will continue its registration and recognition work.

328. Starting from March next year, the HB will conduct inspections and take enforcement and prosecution action in an orderly manner against illegal letting of SDUs with no registration and no recognition, conducting joint operations with relevant departments to enhance deterrence. Upon the expiry of the grace period at the end of February 2030, the HB will rigorously combat illegal letting of substandard SDUs by owners or operators.

329. The HB will provide tenants in need with comprehensive, people-oriented support through its District Service Teams in various districts. This includes assisting eligible tenants to apply for traditional PRH and LPH, and flexibly co-ordinating resources such as transitional housing and Hostels for Single Persons, providing tenants in need with temporary shelters or helping them find alternative accommodation in the private market.

Promote the Scheme on Joint Property Management

330. From 2027-28, the HAD will continue to implement the Scheme on Joint Property Management in districts with needs for two years. Through the newly formed Working Groups on Building Management under all DCs, the HAD will continue to facilitate the execution of duties by DC members and enhance exchange.

Persistently Promote the Use of Building Technologies

331. The MiC approach reduces the construction time of a typical floor of public housing buildings by about 17%, and is effective in reducing water and electricity consumption and waste. The HKHA will adopt the AIoT³⁹ System for logistics and transport in the tender exercises for new projects to boost the transport efficiency and quality of modules.

332. The HKHA will identify more projects to apply the “Building Information Modelling (BIM)-enabled Systematic Approach to Foundation Design”, saving about $1 million for each domestic block on average.

333. We injected $1 billion into the Construction Innovation and Technology Fund (CITF) this year. Together with the CIC’s contribution of $400 million, a total of $1.4 billion will be used to support the wider application of I&T⁴⁰ in the construction industry, especially among SMEs.

334. The DEVB has required that MiMEP be adopted in suitable public works projects, as well as repair and maintenance works, since the middle of this year. A one-stop integrated information platform was launched to support the industry.

³¹Eastern District, Yau Tsim Mong District, Yuen Long District and Sha Tin District.

³²The number of cases waiting for cataract surgery recorded a downward trend instead of upward since the HA strengthened its cataract surgery service in 2024.  The 90th percentile waiting time was also shortened from 37 months to 32 months.  Waiting time is expected to be further shortened to 18 months by 2032.
 
³³The 90th percentile waiting time.
 
³⁴Ear, Nose and Throat, Ophthalmology, Gynaecology, Medicine, Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Psychiatry and Surgery.

³⁵Including 27 new drugs/expanded clinical indications and 26 recommendations for out‑of‑pocket medical devices.

³⁶Including digital health.

³⁷Including the implementation of the Bonus Plot Ratio Pilot Scheme and the cross‑district transfer of plot ratio scheme.
 
³⁸Accounting for about 3% of the total annual expenditure on public works projects.

³⁹Artificial Intelligence of Things

⁴⁰Including new technologies such as construction robots, AI and digital construction technologies.

(To be continued.)

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

Chapter VII  Enhance Social Well-being

(A) Advance Quality Education and Nurture a Diversified Pool of Talent

269. Quality education is the strategic cornerstone for enhancing competitiveness as well as the core engine propelling Hong Kong’s rise as an international education hub and cradle for talent. The Government will expand the scope of the NMUT’s development; raise the quality of school education and student development; strengthen digital and values’ education at the kindergarten, primary and secondary levels; elevate the status of vocational and professional education and training; and adopt a systematic approach for strengthening the professional development of teachers.

Promote Digital and STEAM Education

270. To closely align with the National 15th Five-Year Plan on “advancing the digital transformation strategy for education”, the EDB will follow its Blueprint for Digital Education Development in Primary and Secondary Schools, promoting digital and STEAM²⁹ education, including:

(i) Roll out a free digital-education learning resource platform equipped with AI Large Language Models, while progressively extending the “AI Teaching Assistant” to more subjects to provide teaching support.
(ii) Review technology education in primary schools to optimise the interface of Information and Innovation Technology curricula between primary and secondary levels, and revise the senior secondary mathematics and science curricula.
(iii) Earmark funding under the Quality Education Fund to take forward digitalisation in kindergarten education administration, including enhancing digital equipment and AI tools of kindergartens, promoting technological ethics and digital literacy to parents, and providing training for teaching and administrative staff.

Enhance the Operating Standards of Schools

271. We will refine the Code of Practice for Private Schools and update the Private School List, improving the operation standards and transparency of private schools.

272. We will launch the “Confluence and Elevation – School Excellence Project” for publicly-funded schools in the 2026/27 school year. This will encourage and support mergers of suitable publicly-funded primary and secondary schools, consolidating resources and raising the quality of education.

Strengthen Support for Student Development

273. The EDB will develop a one-stop, self-directed learning portal for Chinese Language Education, organise territory-wide, English-speaking activities for students, provide opportunities for junior secondary students to learn other languages and encourage schools to arrange diversified activities for students to use the languages. The EDB will also collaborate with companies and higher education institutions to enhance the financial literacy of students.

Enhance Teachers’ Professional Development

274. We will amend the Education Ordinance to require a practising certificate as a prerequisite for teaching, to enhance teacher registration mechanism. We will also improve the teacher training framework, setting specific training requirements to raise the professional standards of teachers.

Advance the Development of Universities of Applied Sciences

275. In collaboration with the Alliance of Universities of Applied Sciences, we will conduct publicity work on vocational and professional education and training early in secondary schools, to promote diversified pathways for students. We will also deepen collaboration with the GBA to explore, among others, the provision of joint programmes, cross-boundary internship and research collaboration.

Training for Local Technical Experts

276. We will extend the provision of an additional monthly training allowance of $1,000 to registered apprentices for a period of two years in view of the persistent shortage of local technical professionals and to encourage more young people to undergo apprenticeship training.

Continuous Training for Construction Technology Talent

277. The Construction Industry Council (CIC) will continue to provide systematic training courses to upgrade manpower capabilities (especially frontline staff on construction sites) in construction technologies.

Strengthen Skills Training for All and Consolidate Local Training Resources

278. Upskill Hong Kong (upgrade of the Employees Retraining Board) will publish the first phase of a skill-based training framework in the first quarter of 2027. It will focus on sectors related to city operations, guide training bodies in developing corresponding courses and build skills’ learning pathways.

279. The Government will begin a review of the Continuing Education Fund with Upskill Hong Kong within the first year after the latter’s establishment to consolidate local training resources and increase efficiency.

(B) Foster the Development of Young People, Women, Families and a Harmonious Society

Create a Bright Future for Young People

280. Since the current-term Government announced the Youth Development Blueprint, more than 290 initiatives have been implemented. We will continue to support young people in broadening their international horizons and deepening their participation in the development of the GBA, so that they can better integrate into and serve the overall national development, and accumulate practical experience in emerging fields. They will then become a dynamic force contributing to the development of Hong Kong and our country.

Empower Youth to Go Global

281. The Home and Youth Affairs Bureau (HYAB) will launch an International Young Talent Exchange Base³⁰ this year to promote international exchanges and invite Youth Link members to participate. The HYAB and the Base will:

(i) Launch a new HYAB – United Nations Youth Leaders Internship Programme, offering internship placements in various United Nations agencies.
(ii) Sign co-operation agreements and set up regular exchange platforms with international organisations; make arrangements for young people to participate in large-scale international conferences to be held in Hong Kong and the Mainland.
(iii) Invite international experts and visiting guests to exchange views with young people who have participated in international exchanges and internships.
(iv) Continue to organise the Youth Development Summit, convening young people from around the world to exchange views with Hong Kong youth.

282. The Government will also explore more opportunities for young people to go global, including:

(i) Explore with the IOMed opportunities for more youth participation in related affairs.
(ii) Continue to support exchanges outside Hong Kong and expand campus cross-cultural exchanges. The Funding Scheme for Chinese Mainland and Global Engagement and Student Learning Experience has benefitted over 74 000 students over the past three academic years. Starting from the 2026/27 academic year, the UGC will inject $100 million into the Scheme to cover countries and regions along the B&R.
(iii) The EDB has allocated additional resources to support the Vocational Training Council in forming the 41-strong Hong Kong, China delegation to participate in the WorldSkills Competition. Hailed as the “Skills Olympics”, it will be held in September this year.

Open Up New Frontiers for Youth Development

283. The HYAB will deepen its support for young people in opening up new frontiers:

(i) Introduce a new thematic finance internship programme in the Mainland, allowing young people to undertake internships in large Mainland financial institution(s).
(ii) Launch thematic aerospace training activities in the Mainland for young people to gain a deeper understanding of the latest developments of our country’s aerospace technology and promote an interest in the field.
(iii) Increase thematic internship places relating to high-end scientific research at the Chinese Academy of Sciences, allowing more young people to take part in our country’s top-notch scientific research.
(iv) Launch new AI experiential activities to increase young people’s understanding of AI application and the industry.

284. We will strengthen support for young people to explore and pursue a career in new I&T disciplines:

(i) Introduce a young researcher category under the Innovation and Technology Support Programme.
(ii) The HKSTPC has expanded the Talent Foundry programme to provide training for local university students, researchers, career newcomers and professionals, focusing on AI+ and emerging technologies. Around 500 training opportunities are expected to be provided each year.
(iii) Continue to provide funding support for the HKPC to organise the Hong Kong Future Aerospace Technology Talents Training Programme for secondary students. Cyberport will also support I&T for young people through relevant programmes.

285. The HKHA will regularise the “Well Being · Start-Up 2.0” Programme, which provides rental concessions to encourage youth entrepreneurship. The programme will offer 15 shops and over 70 entrepreneurial opportunities, a sevenfold increase in scale compared to its pilot run. Referral efforts will also be stepped up to match promising projects with commercial partners.

“30 000 Youth Employment and Internship Programme”

286. The Government and the business sector will launch the two-year, “30 000 Youth Employment and Internship Programme” to facilitate youth employment and development, especially for those with limited or no work experience:

(i) The Government will mobilise the business sector, including major employer and trade associations, to provide an additional 10 000 full-time jobs lasting six months or more within a two-year period starting from the first quarter of 2027. The jobs will be open to young people newly entering the workforce, with the Government assuming part of the wages, i.e. $6,000 per month or up to one-third of the monthly salary, for six months.
(ii) The Government will expand the STEM Internship Scheme and enhance the HYAB Youth Start-up Internship Programme, providing more than 10 000 internship quotas within two years, with each intern receiving a subsidy of no less than $11,000.
(iii) In 2027 and 2028, the CIC and the Government will allocate funding to extend the on-the-job training subsidy scheme for professional graduates of relevant disciplines. A monthly salary subsidy of $5,000 will be provided for each graduate, offering a total of 10 000 training places over two years.
(iv) The FSDC will launch a two-year Financial Services Industry Youth Internship Programme together with industry, providing 1 000 youth internship placements related to financial services.

The Government will launch a “one-stop” dedicated webpage, making it easier for young people to access information about the programmes and apply for vacancies.

287. The Government will establish the “Youth Employment Link” online service portal to facilitate young people’s access to employment information and support services. It will also launch the Shanghai-Hong Kong Youth Employment Scheme.

Eleven Measures to Promote Fertility

288. The current-term Government has shifted from a non-interventionist approach to actively promoting fertility, working to create a conducive environment for childbearing. An array of measures for promoting fertility and assisting families in taking care of their children have been introduced.

289. Measures initiated to create a conducive environment for childbearing include: Newborn Baby Bonus of $20,000; a double child allowance for newborns; increasing the child allowance; raising the tax-deduction ceiling for mortgage loan interest and rents; an allocation priority scheme for PRH applicants; a Home Ownership Scheme flat selection priority scheme; increasing the number of child care centres (CCCs) and the Child Care Centre Parent Subsidy; enhancing after-school care service; improving the Neighbourhood Support Child Care Project; a tax deduction for assisted reproductive services; increasing the service quota for assisted reproductive service at public hospitals; removing the statutory storage periods of gametes and embryos for own use; promoting the Good Employer Charter; and encouraging family friendly employment practices.

290. To further promote a conducive environment for fertility, we will also introduce the following 11 measures under a multipronged approach:

(i) The $20,000, newborn baby bonus, which is due to expire on 24 October this year, will be extended for three years.
(ii) To encourage families to have more than one child, the newborn baby bonus for the second or subsequent child born today or after will be increased from $20,000 to $30,000 for three years.
(iii) If a taxpayer’s second child and subsequent children are born today or after, the tax allowance for them will be increased from $140,000 to $160,000, and the allowance may be claimed until they reach the age of 25 following established procedures. This will take effect from the year of assessment 2026/27.
(iv) The additional allowance for the first two years following childbirth for the aforesaid second and subsequent child will also be increased, from $140,000 to $160,000, effective from the year of assessment 2026/27.
(v) Eligible families (whose children are born today or after in Hong Kong, with either parent a Hong Kong permanent resident), having purchased a residential property from one year before to two years after the childbirth, are entitled to a stamp duty waiver capped at $20,000. The concession will take effect upon passage of the amendment bill.
(vi) Starting from the next Home Ownership Scheme sale exercise, the maximum mortgage loan-to-value ratio for White Form family applicants with newborns will be raised to 95%, to ease their down-payment burden.
(vii) The HA will increase the service quota for in-vitro fertilisation in phases over the next three years, by 300 treatment cycles to 1 900 treatment cycles per year.
(viii) The Primary Healthcare Commission (PHC Commission) will gradually extend its free pre-pregnancy, antenatal and postnatal classes to all District Health Centres (DHCs) and DHC Expresses. The Family Planning Association of Hong Kong will launch publicity this year to promote healthy fertility.
(ix) Following last year’s announcement to establish 15 new aided standalone CCCs, we will set up three more aided, standalone CCCs. These are expected to provide about 1 800 additional day-care service places by the end of 2030.
(x) The School-based After School Care Service Scheme will be regularised, starting from the 2027/28 school year and no quota will be imposed to continuously support families of primary school students with caretaking needs.
(xi) We will strengthen professional support for the After School Care Programme for Pre-primary Children, providing escort services and increasing service publicity.

Support Women’s Development

291. We will extend the “She Inspires” Mentorship Programme by three years to broaden the horizons of female university students and promote high-quality career development.

Support Ethnic Minorities

292. Support Service Centres for Ethnic Minorities (EMs) will:

(i) Set up an Elder Harmony Network next year to increase support for EM elderly persons, and strengthen collaboration between the existing EM Care Teams and District Services and Community Care Teams, so that more EM elderly persons can be reached and referred for assistance, as needed.
(ii) Under the new Success Counsel Programme, outstanding EMs will be arranged to share their experience, and EM youth will be encouraged to join the District Youth Committees through the Member Self-recommendation Scheme for Youth.

293. The Government will regularise the EM District Ambassador Pilot Scheme, which engages EMs or designated persons to provide support and publicise welfare services for EMs. In addition, EMs with higher education or professional qualifications will be invited to serve as social welfare volunteers.

294. We will adopt learning materials tailored for non-Chinese speaking (NCS) students, including the Youth Chinese Test and the Hanyu Shuiping Kaoshi Chinese Proficiency Test, and provide after-school Chinese language courses to NCS students from Primary One to Secondary Three. We will also provide suitable learning materials for NCS students.

Strengthen Training for Care Team Services

295. The establishment of Care Teams is an integral part of the current-term Government’s commitment to improving district governance structure. To enhance the service quality of Care Teams, the Government will deploy resources to enhance training for Care Teams covering practical skills such as emergency knowledge, communication skills and health support.

Deepen Collaboration and Exchange in Social Services with Mainland Counterparts

296. The LWB, together with Connecting Hearts, has fostered in-depth exchange and collaboration between the social welfare sectors in Hong Kong and the Mainland, and facilitated the launch of a total of 102 livelihood improvement projects between 46 Hong Kong social welfare organisations and 81 counterparts from other GBA cities.

²⁹Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts and Mathematics.

³⁰It will include the Y Cube in Chai Wan, Youth Link · Nam Cheong, and the Youth Post in Kai Tak.

(To be continued.)

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

Chapter VI  Better Integrate into and Serve the Overall National Development

224. This year marks the opening year of the National 15th Five-Year Plan, and Hong Kong has announced its first Five-Year Plan to proactively align with the overall national development. The Government will continue its efforts in fostering synergistic development of the GBA. We will strengthen co-operation in technological innovation, promote “hard connectivity” in infrastructure, foster “soft connectivity” by deepening the alignment of rules and mechanisms, and achieve “connectivity of hearts” among residents of the three places. At the same time, we will speed up development of major co-operation platforms, deepen regional collaboration with the Mainland, promote complementarity among industries and mobility of innovation factors, while strengthening cultural, youth and professional exchanges. We will deepen international exchanges and co-operation, actively participating in the affairs of international organisations to promote Chinese standards and the B&R Initiative.

(A) Deepen the Development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area

Support the High-quality Development of Major Co-operation Platforms in Qianhai and Nansha

225. The Government will support the Qianhai Shenzhen-Hong Kong Modern Service Industry Co-operation Zone to achieve early pilot implementation. Through key projects already in place, Hong Kong’s modern service industry will establish a foothold in Qianhai to tap into Mainland markets. The projects include the Qualified Foreign Limited Partnerships (QFLP) mechanism; pilot projects adopting Hong Kong’s construction systems; the Qianhai Shenzhen Hong Kong Youth Innovation and Entrepreneur Hub; the Qianhai Mercantile Exchange; and a safe and convenient Shenzhen Hong Kong cross-boundary data channel as well as cross-boundary infrastructure initiatives such as the Hong Kong Shenzhen Western Rail Link.

226. The HKEX Technology (Shenzhen) Limited, established in Qianhai for years, has grown into one of the largest Hong Kong technology companies in Qianhai, with a talent pool of over 300 international fintech professionals. The company provides fintech support for the HKEX and its subsidiaries LME and Qianhai Mercantile Exchange, while serving as a crucial link aligning Mainland trading platforms with international fintech standards.

227. We will deepen Qianhai’s position as a liaison point, strengthening connections between Hong Kong’s legal and other professional services and go global enterprises in the GBA, so as to leverage Hong Kong’s professional services strengths to help enterprises “go global”.

228. The Government will support Nansha in its role as a high-standard gateway for opening up. This includes encouraging the trade to participate in Nansha’s infrastructure development and mutually beneficial supply chain co-operation; encouraging start-ups with advanced technologies to establish their presence in Nansha via the HKIC; building a green finance centre in the GBA with Nansha as a national pilot area for climate investment and financing. We will also engage shipping operators and higher education and research institutions in areas such as resource sharing, to foster a two way flow of talent and innovative resources.

229. To promote the co-ordinated development of rail transit in Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao, we are pressing ahead with the Northern Link Project and the Hong Kong-Shenzhen Western Rail Link (Hung Shui Kiu-Qianhai), with target commissioning in 2034 and 2035 respectively, to fully connect the rail transit networks of Hong Kong and Shenzhen.

Advance the Development of Dongguan Logistics Park

230. HKIA Dongguan Logistics Park’s Phase 1 facilities will officially begin operation next June, and the cargo-handling capacity will gradually reach one million tonnes a year.

231. To develop a cold chain hub, the Park established a designated supervision area this year for the import of overseas chilled aquatic products and fresh fruits to the GBA via Hong Kong, establishing a more efficient and convenient international cold-chain, air-cargo passage.

Jointly Develop a Sustainable Aviation Fuel Value Chain

232. To meet the country’s “dual carbon” targets and fulfil Hong Kong’s commitment to achieving carbon neutrality before 2050, we steered the establishment of a production base for SAF in Dongguan, leveraging the leading position of Hong Kong enterprises in the international SAF industry. By combining technology strengths with industrial foundation, Hong Kong and Guangdong will jointly develop a globally influential green industry.

233. The Government will take forward the construction of an SAF blending facility in Hong Kong to build an end-to-end SAF value chain and reduce logistics costs to make SAF prices more competitive. To achieve an SAF consumption ratio of 1% to 3% for flights departing from HKIA in 2030, as set out in Hong Kong’s first Five-Year Plan, the Government will study the establishment of a mechanism for mandatory SAF consumption ratio, and launch publicity and education campaigns by 2028, to create favourable conditions for attaining the consumption ratio.

234. The HKEX’s Core Climate is progressively exploring the possibility of offering green energy and other environmental equity products, including SAF Certificates and green hydrogen certificates, to the market. It will also look into appropriate options with industry stakeholders to better meet the needs of companies in respect of carbon emission reduction.

Participate in the Development of the Greater Bay Area Port Cluster

235. We will capitalise on the vast GBA market to expand high-value added maritime services such as marine insurance, maritime law (particularly contract formation and governance), arbitration, ship management and maritime financing. That will enhance Hong Kong’s pricing, rule-making and institutional discourse power in the international maritime service chain, empowering a world-class GBA port cluster.

236. Hong Kong Port can function as an international logistics and transhipment hub to achieve mutual benefits and the creation of value among GBA cities and ports. We will strengthen port collaboration with Huizhou, Dongguan and other GBA cities, facilitating the transit from rivers to seas in the GBA. We will also improve our feeder network and explore the application of smart feeders to improve transportation efficiency and reduce costs. This will encourage the export of GBA cargo through Hong Kong and the convergence of Central and South American shipping routes in Hong Kong.

Foster Financial Development in the Greater Bay Area

237. Hong Kong will continue to capitalise on institutional innovation, financial infrastructure upgrading and enhanced regulatory alignment to encourage the orderly flow of financial elements among GBA cities:

(i) The HKEX’s Core Climate, in collaboration with the Guangzhou Power Exchange Centre, is working towards the pilot trading of national renewable-energy, green electricity certificates (GECs) in Hong Kong in 2026. It encourages the use of such GECs by Hong Kong institutions as a compliant tool to offset electricity-related carbon emissions, supporting the country in expanding GEC applications outside the Mainland.

(ii) Discussions with the relevant Mainland authorities on enhancements to the Cross-boundary Wealth Management Connect Scheme in the GBA are ongoing.

(iii) Enhancements to cross-boundary credit referencing and Shenzhen-Hong Kong cross-boundary data-validation platforms, including their coverage and workflow, are being considered. We will develop a new cross-boundary data-validation platform with Chongqing to promote cross-boundary financing for enterprises and individuals with Chongqing.

Foster New Industrialisation Collaboration in the Greater Bay Area

238. Under the co-ordination of the MIIT, the Government will discuss action plans for promoting new industrialisation with Guangdong authorities. We will also sign, under the principle of “co-operation in R&D, collaborative transformation, and sharing of the benefits of development”, an MoU with the Shenzhen Municipality, to promote the establishment of industrial innovation platforms and formulate mechanisms and models to achieve industry chain synergy for emerging and future industries.

Co-ordinate the Work of Bureaux for the Alignment of Rules and Mechanisms within the Greater Bay Area

239. We will set up a Task Force on Expediting the Alignment of Rules and Mechanisms in Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao, where the Deputy Secretary for Justice will co-ordinate with relevant bureaux to explore ways to advance the alignment of rules and mechanisms within the GBA.

Deepen the Construction of Rule of Law in the Greater Bay Area

240. The DoJ will explore pathways to promote the formulation of the GBA model arbitration rules to improve the competitiveness of arbitration services in the GBA. It will also support and complement Mainland authorities’ implementation work of the regularisation of the GBA Lawyers’ Scheme for GBA lawyers to leverage their unique strengths.

Develop a Multi-trade Integrated Mechanical, Electrical and Plumbing Industry Chain in the Greater Bay Area

241. By combining the respective strengths of Hong Kong in MiC and the production of module assemblies of electrical and mechanical installations in the GBA, the Government will publish a Cross-boundary Trading Guidebook on MiMEP in collaboration with relevant Mainland authorities in the first half of 2027. The guidebook will consolidate information, including requirements regarding customs and excise, tax and industry regulations, to facilitate cross-boundary business development and promote the development of related industry chains in the GBA.

Enhance Greater Bay Area Standards for Construction Talent

242. Through ongoing collaboration with Guangdong Province and Macao, the Government last year established GBA skill standards for painters and bricklayers, as well as the civil engineering works supervisors’ technician position. The “One Examination, Multiple Certification” arrangement was implemented to foster co-operation among GBA construction-training institutions for training quality enhancement. The Government plans to publish another three GBA skill standards for the respective trades of skilled workers and technician positions, and implement the corresponding “One Examination, Multiple Certification” arrangement this year.

Strengthen Co-operation between Higher Education Institutions in Hong Kong and other Greater Bay Area Cities

243. The eight UGC funded universities of Hong Kong have all established industry-education-research bases, research institutes or scientific research laboratories in Shenzhen. Four of them have established campuses in the Mainland cities of the GBA. On the 10th anniversary of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao University Alliance, the Government will continue to improve the mechanism for establishing alliances between higher education institutions in Hong Kong and the Mainland, deepening co-operation among member institutions in technological innovation and talent exchange.

(B) Deepen Regional Co-operation with the Mainland

Improve and Facilitate Hong Kong Residents’ Development and Living in the Mainland

244. The Government continues to expand the Residential Care Services Scheme in Guangdong to more Mainland cities of the GBA, providing more care home choices for Hong Kong’s elderly persons.

245. The Government will make focused efforts to facilitate cross-boundary payments and safeguard people’s livelihood:

(i) The HKMA will foster the linkage of the Faster Payment System with UnionPay (which, together with its partner payment networks, covers over 100 million merchants worldwide) to facilitate local and cross-boundary retail payments among users.

(ii) The HKMA will explore the feasibility of further expanding the user base of Payment Connect and developing more use cases to facilitate cross-boundary living, working and retirement for residents of both sides.

(iii) Since the third quarter, the HKMC Annuity Limited has allowed HKMC Annuity Plan policy holders to receive annuity income directly through designated Mainland bank accounts.

Facilitate Cross-boundary Transport Development

246. In light of the implementation situation, the governments of Guangdong and the HKSAR will improve the travel booking and renewal arrangements of “Northbound Travel for Hong Kong Vehicles”, and will steadily expand “Southbound Travel for Guangdong Vehicles” to all Guangdong Province cities.

Enhance the Cross-boundary Service of Judicial Documents

247. The Government is implementing the new service arrangement signed with the Supreme People’s Court to enhance the modes and efficiency for cross-boundary service of judicial documents between the Mainland and Hong Kong, resolving the challenges in effecting service under the existing arrangement for better protection of the rights and interests of parties in the two places.

Establish Medical Service Centres in accordance with National Standards

248. Following the establishment of the Chest Pain Centres and Stroke Centres after securing accreditation under national standards, the HA will further establish Integrated Cardiovascular Diseases Centres in accordance with national standards. This includes the setting up of a heart failure centre and a cardiac rehabilitation centre under the Hong Kong Island Cluster, as well as optimising the overall treatment processes and service network for patients suffering from general chest pain and other cardiovascular diseases. The centres will improve patients’ consultation experience and enhance clinical treatment. They will also help promote national medical accreditation as an international standard.

Hydrogen Standards

249. The Electrical and Mechanical Services Department (EMSD) has joined the National Standards expert groups to participate in the drafting of Guobiao (GB) standards for hydrogen. By aligning the standards of Hong Kong and the Mainland and promoting the co-ordinated development of hydrogen supply chains, technologies and safety standards, we will enable the application of GB standards in Hong Kong, showcasing our country’s expertise in hydrogen to the international community.

250. The Government is developing a “Green Hydrogen Standard Certification Scheme” that aligns with international standards to certify the greenhouse gas emission performance of hydrogen products, connecting hydrogen projects with global green financing. The EMSD has begun the second phase of the study. Pilot projects in collaboration with major hydrogen enterprises will be launched in Hong Kong and the Mainland this year. The target is to implement a certification scheme recognised by the Mainland and the international community next year.

(C) Deepen International Co-operation and Exchanges

Build an International Exchange Platform

251. The Government will spare no effort in arranging and organising the Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation Finance Ministers’ Meeting to be held in the HKSAR in October. We will continue to organise the Asian Financial Forum, the Wealth for Good in Hong Kong Summit, the Global Financial Leaders’ Investment Summit, Hong Kong Fintech Week, etc to establish Hong Kong as a global platform for high-quality financial dialogue.

252. The DEVB will again host the International Infrastructure and Projects Leaders Summit in November, showcasing Hong Kong and the Mainland’s advanced construction technologies. This will help competitive construction industry players in both places go global.

Attract More International Organisations to Establish a Presence in Hong Kong

253. The United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), following a comprehensive assessment of 173 member states and regions, chose to establish in Hong Kong its first centre of excellence on global advanced manufacturing in the Asia-Pacific region. It is expected to begin operation in the second quarter of next year, demonstrating Hong Kong’s strengths in the field. With a focus on AI+ manufacturing, robotics, new energy and industrial design, the centre will promote technology exchange, alignment of standards and talent training between the Mainland and overseas counterparts. It will also seek to host influential global events attracting leading enterprises as well as higher education and scientific research institutions, developing Hong Kong into a global hub for resource exchange and integration in advanced manufacturing.

254. The Government will deepen its co-operation with the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC)²⁶ in raising Hong Kong’s status as a maker of international financial rules and persuading more international financial institutions to establish their presence in Hong Kong.

255. With the support of the country, the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) has successfully pushed forward the establishment of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime’s GlobE Network Asia Pacific Regional Bureau in Hong Kong. This will consolidate Hong Kong’s position as an international anti-corruption hub. Preparations are underway.

Establish the Hong Kong International Academy of Policing

256. The Hong Kong Police Force (HKPF) will establish the Hong Kong International Academy of Policing in November. Dedicated to organising international hallmark training programmes, police leadership forums and overseas outreach training programmes, the Academy will deepen international police exchanges, reinforcing the HKPF’s brand as “Asia’s Finest”.

Establish a World Health Organization accredited Emergency Medical Team

257. The HHB is working with the HA and co-ordinating the efforts of the relevant government departments to establish an Emergency Medical Team, and plans to apply to the World Health Organization next year for accreditation. This will promote Hong Kong’s participation in and contribution to major global emergency medical rescues.

Boost the Global Influence of the Innovation and Technology Sector

258. In support of the country’s Global AI Governance Initiative, the Government will organise a large-scale international AI conference in Hong Kong to promote open source and openness as well as co-operation and sharing, and to foster synergistic development of AI innovation and applications.

259. The ITC has launched the Special Call on Academic Journals and will soon announce the vetting results to support local universities and professional organisations in publishing internationally influential academic journals. It will also encourage them to continue their efforts to host international academic and professional conferences, raising Hong Kong’s international influence in the technology field.

Attract Asian and International Sports Associations to Establish a Presence in Hong Kong

260. To strengthen Hong Kong’s influence in the international sports arena, a pilot scheme was launched earlier this year to provide financial support for local national sports associations (NSAs) to participate in the work of Asian and international sports associations, as well as to attract Asian and international sports associations to establish a presence in Hong Kong. To date, four associations have set up their headquarters or regional headquarters in Hong Kong²⁷.

Consolidate Hong Kong’s Position as an Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Hub

261. Hong Kong is a broadcasting hub in the Asia-Pacific region. To promote the sustainable development of the local television broadcasting industry, the Government will review the Generic Codes of Practice for Television. We aim to ensure that regulation keeps pace with the times, and that diversified and quality programmes are broadcast, expanding the reach of the “Hong Kong Brand” to the Asia Pacific region.

(D) Pursue Co-operation under the Belt and Road Initiative

262. The HKSAR Government will continue to deepen international exchange and co-operation, and participate in high-quality co-operation under the B&R Initiative. With the “five areas of connectivity” as the focus of co-operation, the Government will promote diverse, comprehensive and pragmatic co-operation and support community organisations in broadening international exchange networks, to achieve extensive consultation, joint contribution and shared benefits.

263. I led a high-level business delegation to the Middle East in May last year and another to Central Asia in June this year. Both were successful in tapping into the respective markets, and a number of projects have since materialised. We will continue to organise business delegations to visit potential B&R markets, seizing new opportunities for enterprises and the professional services sector.

264. The Belt and Road Office has reached out to B&R countries over the past year, building a database of infrastructure projects for Hong Kong companies looking to participate in such projects. We will step up promotion of the “Hong Kong–Overseas Projects Platform” to help Hong Kong companies participate in signature and “small and beautiful” projects in B&R regions, while promoting Hong Kong’s services and standards.

265. We will also strengthen Hong Kong’s B&R Capacity Building Platforms, by co-ordinating and promoting capacity-building programmes offered by public organisations and institutions in Hong Kong. We will continue to host the B&R Summit²⁸ and elevate it to serve as an important platform for economic and trade co-operation to realise more deliverables.

266. To align with the green and high-quality development of the B&R Initiative, the Government:

(i) Will launch the Green Technology Bridgehead Programme to bring together Mainland and overseas technology companies that use Hong Kong as a springboard for “going global” or “landing” in the Mainland. By showcasing green solutions and technology applications through EcoPark, and taking advantage of Hong Kong’s legal, financial and environmental expertise, these companies can export green solutions to B&R countries.

(ii) Has signed an agreement with the Ministry of Ecology and Environment to set up the B&R Green Development Co-operation platform. By connecting with the B&R Initiative International Green Development Coalition, it will facilitate technology exchange and co-operation along the B&R. The EPD has also set up a B&R sustainable green development training centre to provide high level training for personnel from the B&R countries.

(iii) Will organise the B&R Green Innovation Conference with the Ministry of Ecology and Environment for the first time in Hong Kong in October. About 260 officials and experts from the Mainland and B&R countries will explore green technological innovation and opportunities for collaboration.

267. The HKEX’s Core Climate is expanding co-operation with Brazil, Malaysia and Kazakhstan, and encouraging the carbon markets of B&R countries/regions to make better use of Hong Kong’s professional strengths in finance and standard setting to align themselves with the international carbon market. It is also working on a pilot implementation of cross-border carbon trading to generate successful cases.

268. The Government’s B&R Scholarship attracts outstanding students from B&R countries to pursue their studies in Hong Kong. It has benefitted students from 57 countries as of the 2025/26 academic year. We will increase the annual quota of the scholarships to 200 places, starting from the 2027/28 academic year.

²⁶ICC is the largest and the most iconic business organisation in the world, playing a leading role in the making of international trading and financial rules.

²⁷The Asian Bowling Federation, Asian Squash Federation, International Shuttlecock Federation and International Dragon Boat Federation have set up headquarters in Hong Kong.

²⁸The B&R Summit is a flagship event for Hong Kong’s participation in and contribution to the B&R Initiative.

(To be continued.)

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

     The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, today (September 16) announced his fifth Policy Address entitled “A Strategic Vision for a Bright New Era, Driving Reform and Boosting Development, Unleashing Opportunities and Enhancing Livelihood”, taking the First Five-Year Plan for Economic and Social Development of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (2026-2030) (Hong Kong’s First Five-Year Plan) as its blueprint, putting forward a series of measures to create development opportunities and enhance the well-being of the people.

     “This year marks the opening year of the National 15th Five-Year Plan. The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government has formulated our first Five-Year Plan to proactively align with the National 15th Five-Year Plan, seizing opportunities for development while better integrating into and serving the overall national development. In the thick of accelerating global changes not seen in a century, the vibrant momentum driven by our country’s robust strength, enormous market and high-quality development presents Hong Kong with boundless opportunities. We will better develop our economy and boost social well-being, starting a bright new chapter for Hong Kong,” Mr Lee said.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The following is issued on behalf of the Communications Authority:

     The Communications Authority (CA) welcomed the various policy initiatives announced in the First Five-Year Plan for Economic and Social Development of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (2026-2030) (Hong Kong’s First Five-Year Plan) and the Chief Executive’s 2026 Policy Address (the Policy Address) delivered today (September 16). These policy initiatives will accelerate communications technology development and secure a healthy and sustainable growth of the domestic television industry.
 
     The Chairman of the CA, Mr Jenkin Suen, said, “To proactively align with the National 15th Five-Year Plan in accelerating the development of next-generation information technology and fostering the growth of emerging and future industries, Hong Kong’s First Five-Year Plan has included the promotion of the development of 6G network in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and the construction and upgrading of new communications infrastructure. The CA will fully support the Government in implementing these measures, and facilitate the development of the communications industry to align with the initiatives in promoting 6G applications, technology advancement, and spectrum planning announced in the Policy Address. On the other hand, the CA will support the Government’s arrangements for streamlining the vetting of low earth orbit satellite licence applications. By actively providing application support to operators, these measures will reinforce Hong Kong’s position as a communications hub.”
 
     On the broadcasting front, Mr Suen stated that Hong Kong’s First Five-Year Plan mentioned strengthening the global reach of the mainstream media to align with the measures in the National 15th Five-Year Plan to further the development of broadcasting, film, television and related sectors. The CA would continue to provide a facilitating environment that keeps pace with the times for the broadcasting industry. In line with the policy direction of removing barriers and restrictions outlined in the Policy Address, the CA will conduct a consultation on amendments to the Generic Codes of Practice for Television, with a view to enhancing the competitiveness and long-term, healthy development of the domestic television industry.
 
     Mr Suen added, “Communications technology is an important pillar of Hong Kong’s economic and social development. The CA will, in close collaboration with the industry and relevant stakeholders, endeavour to fully implement the various policy initiatives.”

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

The following is issued on behalf of the University Grants Committee:

     The Chairman of the University Grants Committee (UGC), Mr Tim Lui, today (September 16) welcomed the announcement of the First Five-Year Plan for Economic and Social Development of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (2026-2030) (Hong Kong’s First Five-Year Plan), as well as the initiatives concerning higher education, talent development, and research and innovation set out in the Chief Executive’s 2026 Policy Address.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

Attention TV/radio announcers:

Please broadcast the following as soon as possible:

     Here is an item of interest to swimmers.

     The Leisure and Cultural Services Department announced today (September 16) that the Environmental Protection Department has classified the water quality at Trio Beach in Sai Kung District as Grade 1, which means that the water quality has improved and the beach is suitable for swimming. The red flag has been lowered.

     The red flag was hoisted at the beach earlier due to the water quality being classified as Grade 4 and unsuitable for swimming.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The following is issued on behalf of the Youth Development Commission:
 
     The Youth Development Commission (YDC) warmly welcomed the strategies and policy initiatives on supporting youth development in the First Five-Year Plan for Economic and Social Development of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (2026-2030) (Hong Kong’s First Five-Year Plan) and the Chief Executive’s 2026 Policy Address (the Policy Address) delivered by the Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, today (September 16).
 
     The Vice-Chairman of the YDC, Mr Kenneth Leung, said, “Both Hong Kong’s First Five-Year Plan and the Policy Address attach great importance to youth development with clear directions and pragmatic measures. I fully agree with the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government’s emphasis in Hong Kong’s First Five-Year Plan on enhancing youth development opportunities and supporting young people in pursuing their dreams, with a stepped-up focus on youth exchanges, internships, employment and entrepreneurship, and on nurturing talent who can serve the needs of our country and leverage the strengths of Hong Kong. Through a wide variety of activities, we strive to inspire young people to unleash their potential, pass on the spirit of loving our country and Hong Kong, and activate international youth exchanges and collaboration.”
 
     He expressed support for the series of youth development measures introduced by the Chief Executive in the Policy Address. He added, “The youth development measures put forward in the Policy Address are very comprehensive. These comprise, on the one hand, the establishment of the ‘International Youth Talent Exchange Bases’ and the strengthening of co-operation with international organisations such as the United Nations and the International Organization for Mediation, thereby empowering young people to go global; while on the other hand, the expansion of youth internships and training activities in key areas such as finance, aerospace technology, high-end scientific research and AI, as well as the enhancement of the ‘HYAB Youth Start-up Internship Programme’. I also welcome the Government’s efforts in deepening youth patriotic education and its continued support for young people in broadening their international perspectives, participating deeply in the development of the Greater Bay Area, and better integrating into and serving the overall national development.”
 
     He said he appreciated the Government listening attentively and accepting suggestions raised by members of the YDC. He said that the YDC would continue to work proactively and closely with the Government and different sectors of society to follow up on the implementation of relevant policy initiatives in Hong Kong’s First Five-Year Plan, the Policy Address and the Youth Development Blueprint to promote youth development on all fronts.
 
     Chaired by the Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Chan Kwok-ki, the YDC strives to enhance policy co-ordination within the Government for promoting youth development and enable a more holistic and effective examination of and discussion on issues of concern to young people. Since its establishment, the YDC has implemented a wide spectrum of programmes to promote youth exchanges, internships, entrepreneurship, life planning, positive thinking and more. It has also actively supported the Government in formulating and implementing the Youth Development Blueprint to nurture a new generation of young people with an affection for the country and Hong Kong, and are equipped with a global perspective, an aspiring mindset and positive thinking.