Political leaders in the city have expressed confidence that Hong Kong’s first five-year plan will remain on course even if there is a change in administration in June next year.

The government hopes to finalise by the end of 2026 a five-year plan that is in line with the nation's 15th Five-Year Plan.

Authorities have indicated that consultations will be held across six areas, including meetings with the Legislative Council.

On an RTHK radio programme, Hong Kong deputy to the National People’s Congress and lawmaker Rock Chen was asked whether a transition of government in 2027 could affect the plan’s continuity.

He said that once the current government finalises the blueprint, it would not be easily set aside due to a change in administration.

"We release our five-year plan by the end of 2026, then there will be a change in the government in 2027. However, I personally believe the new administration will not drastically deviate from the established five-year plan," Chen said.

He acknowledged that minor annual adjustments based on progress and circumstances were to be expected.

"That happens with everything. But the overall direction, the main tone and the objectives will not change," he said.

Chen stressed that the most important focus during the formulation stage should be detailed and extensive consultation.

He said he favoured a comprehensive and meticulous plan over rushing to produce a report simply to meet a deadline.

"This plan will truly chart the direction for Hong Kong's development over the next five years. So I believe this approach absolutely prevents concerns about delays," he said.

Fellow NPC deputy Frank Chan, a former transport secretary, said the five-year plan's strength would lie in the breadth of its formation.

"If it's made by Hong Kong people together, with everyone's agreement and passed in Legco, its effect essentially comes from a consensus of the entire populace," he said.

Chan added that future office-holders would be bound by that broader mandate.

"I believe that regardless of who holds government positions in the future, they will be serving the developmental needs of the whole society. I'm talking about the developmental needs of the entire society, not the government's needs," he said.

When asked whether Hong Kong should draw from Macao’s experience - the SAR has been formulating its own five-year plans since 2016, lawmaker Johnny Ng, a member of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, said that neighbouring regions could serve as useful references.

He expressed confidence that Hong Kong’s 90 legislators would be able to assist the government in drafting the city’s first five-year plan, drawing on their respective areas of expertise.



Edited by Thomas McAlinden