A senior Beijing official has expressed confidence that Hong Kong will formulate a “sound” five-year plan of its own, as the country is set to unveil more policy goals during the Two Sessions meetings in Beijing.

Xia Baolong, director of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office, met Chief Executive John Lee in the capital on Wednesday.

According to a statement from Xia’s office, the Beijing official told the chief executive that the SAR administration had “achieved remarkable results” in every aspect of its work.

He praised the city’s officials for their efforts in firmly safeguarding national security and promoting high-quality development.

On the nation’s 15th Five-Year Plan, Xia was quoted as saying he believes the SAR government and the whole of society will seize opportunities, focus on the nation’s development, and set the city’s own five-year plan well.

He also expressed the hope for the SAR in making full use of its strengths, consolidating its status as an international finance, shipping and trade centre, and accelerating the construction of a global innovation and technology hub.

Writing on social media, the chief executive thanked the Beijing official for his guidance and concern for Hong Kong, as well as his support and recognition for the SAR government’s work.

Lee vowed to lead his administration in expediting the formulation of Hong Kong’s own five-year plan and comprehensively aligning with the nation's 15th Five-Year Plan.

SAR authorities will speed up developments and fully leverage Hong Kong’s unique advantages under One Country, Two Systems, the chief executive added.


Edited by Aaron Tam