The chief secretary said formulating Hong Kong’s first five-year plan represents a “zero-to-one” breakthrough.

In an interview marking four years of the current-term government, Eric Chan said the blueprint would allow all sectors to learn about Hong Kong’s policy directions and planning for the coming five years.

“In the past, we only have the chief executive’s Policy Address which only covers a one-year period. But sometimes people wish to learn about Hong Kong in the longer term,” he said.

“For example, a foreign student who wishes to study in Hong Kong, as well as companies planning to set up headquarters in the SAR, may want to know the city’s future development. If we let them know about our planning, they would be aware of the directions.”

Chan added that the blueprint would clearly explain how the SAR would align with the national 15th Five-Year Plan.

Even with a new administration in the middle of next year, Chan said the next-term government would follow the directions set out in the city's five-year plan, and it'll be up to the chief executive and the new team to work out specific measures.

Chan also revealed that the five-year blueprint would highlight the development of a university town in the Northern Metropolis.

In the area spanning more than 1,000 hectares that's being planned for the university town, 300 hectares would be used to accommodate campuses, up from 100 hectares in the original plan, he said.

“In addition to the 300-hectare campus area, there will be related industrial, logistics, residential and supporting facilities,” he said.

“We believe this scale will enable our future university town to play a meaningful role.”

Chan also called for closer ties between local universities and enterprises to commercialise research achievements.

On poverty alleviation, the chief secretary said collaboration among the government, businesses and the community would achieve the best result.

He added that the government would set up a platform to facilitate the business sector to engage in charity work.

Chan also noted that Hong Kong should learn a lesson from the deadly fire at Wang Fuk Court and make improvement, saying authorities have launched various measures to combat bid-rigging and enhance building management.



Edited by Edmond Fong