Hong Kong Chief Secretary: Five-year plan and Policy Address are in the same vein and complement each other, charting the direction for Hong Kong's future development.

On September 16, Hong Kong Chief Secretary for Administration Chan Kwok-ki said that the Five-Year Plan is a medium- to long-term development blueprint, while the Policy Address translates macro goals into concrete annual actions. The two are in the same vein and complement each other, charting the direction for Hong Kong's future development and providing clear expectations for residents, the business sector, and investors. Chan Kwok-ki pointed out that Hong Kong's first Five-Year Plan is of great significance. The plan is rooted in Hong Kong, aligned with the country, and oriented toward the world. It clearly outlines Hong Kong's development direction, key areas, and action paths for the next five years. For residents, the Five-Year Plan brings vision and hope; for the business sector and investors, the Five-Year Plan makes clear the direction of Hong Kong's future development, where the opportunities lie, and how to participate in Hong Kong's development. This year's Policy Address translates the macro goals in the Five-Year Plan into specific annual policies, sets out policy priorities, and puts the plan into practice. In other words, the Policy Address converts the macro direction, strategic goals, and development framework set by the Five-Year Plan into visible and achievable annual concrete actions. The Five-Year Plan outlines the direction Hong Kong should take in the next five years, while the Policy Address sets out which steps to take first this year and how to take them. This year's Policy Address is themed "Striving for the Overall Situation with a Long-Term Vision, Opening a New Chapter through Reform, Promoting Development and Creating Opportunities, Benefiting People's Livelihood and Moving toward the Future." The report puts forward 5 major development opportunities and 25 major livelihood and well-being initiatives. Chan Kwok-ki highlighted that, in terms of livelihood and well-being, the Policy Address continues to implement the current government's people-oriented governance philosophy. The Policy Address proposes multiple measures concerning youth employment and development, housing, healthcare, community services, care for the elderly, support for carers, labor protection, and enhancing government governance efficiency. Resources will be used precisely, pain points and difficulties will be seriously addressed, and residents will feel the changes and share in the fruits of development. Regarding the university towns, the development of the Northern Metropolis has already begun to show results. The university towns will continue to drive the construction of the Northern Metropolis, with technology leading industrial development. The three university towns in San Tin, Hung Shui Kiu, and Ta Kwu Ling will all be built under the concept of an urban district, with a "one city, five elements" layout comprising education, technology, industry, talent, and urban construction, to create a talent highland for the Greater Bay Area and the world, strengthen Hong Kong's position as an international education hub, and attract high-quality talent to come to and stay in Hong Kong. In addition, talent, industrial development, and corporate investment are closely linked and inseparable. The Policy Address proposes accelerating medical innovation and industrial chain development, building a new landscape for the low-altitude economy and emerging economies, and advancing five major projects to invest in the future, making overall plans for Hong Kong's long-term development. On AI, the Policy Address proposes stepping up efforts to promote AI application across all sectors. While driving industrial upgrading and making social life more convenient, it also emphasizes AI risk governance. With the assistance of the AI Commissioner under the newly established Digital Policy Office, he will coordinate various tasks, including combating AI-related crime, strengthening protection for underage users, and studying the employment impact of AI, so as to realize technology for good and ensure safety and controllability. Chan Kwok-ki said he will, as always, continue to fully support and assist the Chief Executive in governance, supervise and coordinate all policy bureaus and departments, and ensure every task is carried out thoroughly and meticulously. He added that he will also continue to bring together social forces to open up more development opportunities for Hong Kong.