Hong Kong to Launch Public Consultation for 2026 Policy Address Alongside First Five-Year Plan

Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu has announced that the public consultation for his final Policy Address of the current term will begin on Monday, running in tandem with the ongoing consultation for the city’s first Five-Year Plan for Economic and Social Development (2026-2030).

The announcement came on Thursday (June 25, 2026) following a more than 1.5-hour meeting with 33 representatives from tertiary education institutions to discuss the development of the Northern Metropolis University Town. The session was also attended by Chief Secretary Eric Chan Kwok-ki and Secretary for Education Christine Choi Yuk-lin.

Participants included prominent figures such as Hong Kong University of Science and Technology President Nancy Ip Yuk-yu, Saint Francis University President Stephen Cheung Yan-leung, and Education University of Hong Kong Council Chairman David Wong Yau-kar.

Speaking to the media afterward, Mr. Lee described the meeting as highly productive and valuable for shaping the city’s five-year blueprint, particularly regarding the university town project. He noted that the government has already held more than 10 consultation sessions on the Five-Year Plan since it began, receiving nearly 1,000 submissions.

To streamline public input, views collected during the upcoming Policy Address consultation will also be incorporated into the Five-Year Plan where appropriate. “Whether citizens submit their views separately or together, the government will collate and analyse them for appropriate incorporation into both documents,” Mr. Lee said.

He characterised the Five-Year Plan as a “forward-looking, strategic and directional” guiding document for Hong Kong’s economic and social development over the next five years. In contrast, the annual Policy Address will set specific targets, report on implementation progress, and introduce timely policy measures in response to the plan’s broader directions.

**Focus on Education, Technology, and the Northern Metropolis**

University Grants Committee Chairman Tim Lui Tim-leung, who attended the meeting, said discussions were lively. He highlighted the plan’s emphasis on integrating education, technology, and talent development in line with national priorities under China’s 15th Five-Year Plan. Mr. Lui described the approach as flexible and respectful of institutional autonomy, allowing universities to pursue projects aligned with their strengths and missions.

Chinese University of Hong Kong Council Chairman John Chai Yat-chiu called the Northern Metropolis University Town a breakthrough concept. The approximately 1,000-hectare development will incorporate the San Tin Technopole and the Hong Kong-Shenzhen Innovation and Technology Park in the Lok Ma Chau Loop. He noted that the education sector will focus on key technology fields such as artificial intelligence, biotechnology, financial technology, and new energy materials, while promoting cross-institutional collaboration and leveraging Hong Kong’s roles as a “super connector” and “super value-adder.”

The Five-Year Plan public consultation, which launched on June 15, runs until August 14. The combined consultation process is expected to reduce duplication and make it easier for the public to contribute ideas.

The government has indicated it will continue holding online and offline sessions, including community outreach, to gather diverse views from political parties and the public.