Chief Executive John Lee said on Wednesday that plans to help local media in expanding their network beyond Hong Kong were borne out of challenges faced by press organisations.

He said the government will help with the local media's expansion in "telling the good stories of Hong Kong".

The chief executive said he's aware that the media industry, like other sectors in the SAR, is facing a lot of challenges, and therefore the government wants to lend a helping hand in promoting everything that's good about Hong Kong.

He described the local press as professional and of very high standards, saying they have a lot to offer.

"Like what I'm doing for all family members of Hong Kong – business, industry, labour – whatever I can do to help them, I'll try my best," Lee told a press conference of his annual policy blueprint.

"What I'm trying to do is opening doors for the media to do their own things. I will not interfere with what they do, and I think our media are professional enough to impress their partners overseas."

The chief executive said work in this regard will come gradually and that it's all part of the administration's plans to help companies in using the SAR as a platform to expand elsewhere.

"Any member of this family's good, will be [helpful to] the overall good of Hong Kong," he said.