Financial Secretary Paul Chan said on Wednesday the upcoming budget to be unveiled in three weeks' time will include plans for Hong Kong to align with and contribute to the nation's 15th Five-Year Plan development initiatives.

His remarks came after the first ante-chamber exchange session of the new Legislative Council term between officials and lawmakers in which the focus was on the country's developmental roadmap for between 2026 and 2030.

Chan noted the broad recommendations relating to the 15th Five-Year Plan were laid out in October.

"On the basis of those recommendations, in the preparation of the budget we have been taking into full consideration the future role of Hong Kong in aligning our development with the national development and contributing to its development," he said.

"During the process, we will also benefit ourselves. Say for example, going forward, apart from being an international financial centre, international trade centre, technology and innovation will be a major driver of future economic growth."

Chan said the recommendations cover promoting deeper integration between technology and industrial development, as well as tech self-reliance, which he said were "of high reference value for Hong Kong in order to diversify our economic structure and offer more quality jobs for our people."

Part of the budget, to be unveiled on February 25, will also cover the use of technology, particularly artificial intelligence, to help chart the city's future economic direction, he added.

In regards to a task force to be headed by the chief executive dedicated to formulating the SAR's very own five-year plan once the national version is promulgated, Chan said the move by Hong Kong to chart its own economic direction demonstrates the city's commitment to helping the nation achieve its development goals.

"This is indeed a great move because, going forward, the development of Hong Kong counts on the strong support of the central authorities," he said.

"And the competitive advantage of Hong Kong is that being an international financial trade and technology centre, we have a very strong hinterland, a 1.4 billion market, a very vibrant technology industry chain. We need to leverage these in support of our future growth."

Acting Legco president Ronick Chan said the session, which was attended by a group of government officials and more than 60 lawmakers, was of great significance as it enabled deeper exchanges between the two branches of government.