Chief Executive John Lee this week heard the views of his advisers on the city's first five-year plan as well as the upcoming Policy Address.

Lee chaired three days of working luncheons with the Chief Executive's Council of Advisers (CECA) from Tuesday to Thursday.

Members of the CECA discussed ways to further consolidate the SAR's position as an international financial, shipping and trade centre, and to speed up the development of the Northern Metropolis to serve as a new engine for developing new quality productive forces, boosting the city's long-term competitiveness.

They also discussed ways to expedite the upgrading and transformation of traditional industries, while strengthening emerging industries and investing in and nurturing future industries, as part of efforts to develop Hong Kong as an international innovation and technology centre.

On regional and global collaborations, the CECA sought to deepen the integrated development of the Greater Bay Area and further participate in high-quality Belt and Road development, among other initiatives.

Reflecting on the dialogue, the chief executive highlighted the council’s shared optimism.

"Faced with a competitive external environment and accelerating technological transformations, Hong Kong must adopt a long-term perspective and formulate more systematic strategies for key development areas," Lee said.

"By leveraging its status as an international centre, proactively developing into an international innovation and technology centre and an international hub for high-calibre talent, members are confident that Hong Kong will continue to give full play to its roles as a 'super value-adder' and a 'super connector', thereby better integrating into and serving the overall national development while advancing its own development."

Senior government officials such as Chief Secretary Eric Chan and Financial Secretary Paul Chan also attended the working luncheons.


Edited by Edmond Fong