Hong Kong garners 16,000 submissions from consultation for city’s first 5-year plan

Hong Kong authorities received more than 16,000 public submissions for the city’s inaugural five-year plan by the close of its consultation on Friday, with an official noting general support for more focused integration into national development and the strategic cultivation of emerging sectors.

Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs Janice Tse Siu-wa described the blueprint, which is set to be delivered next month, as “a milestone in public administration”, adding that it would feature binding and predictive targets, mirroring the design of China’s 15th five-year plan.

Meeting the press on Friday, Tse said that after using artificial intelligence to analyse the public submissions, the collected views generally supported Hong Kong’s integration into national development in a more focused manner.

“This included promoting the development of the ‘four centres and one hub’ positioning. Many views said that Hong Kong should be more focused on cultivating emerging sectors with strategic values, and leverage the strengths of Hong Kong’s professional services,” she said.

“[Respondents also suggested that] Hong Kong should accelerate its development as an innovation and technology hub, and consolidate Hong Kong’s positioning as an international financial centre.”

Tse said the public had also proposed that the city reinforce its status as an international Renminbi business hub by introducing a wide variety of yuan products, alongside the development of the commodity trading ecosystem.