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This year, Hong Kong kicks off the 15th five-year plan, a crucial milestone in the city's long-term development. Recognizing the rapid global changes and the opportunities stemming from national progress, Hong Kong must align itself with the overarching national growth. By doing so, the city can propel its economic trajectory to new heights while simultaneously elevating the well-being of its residents.

In February, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government unveiled plans to draft Hong Kong's inaugural five-year plan. I, myself, spearheaded the drafting process, with the Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs chiefly responsible for execution, and all key officials and department heads contributing their expertise. The creation of Hong Kong's first five-year plan came with significant responsibilities, including addressing Hong Kong's aspirations for long-term development.

Given the tight timeline, our team had less than a year to craft the plan from inception. I'm deeply appreciative of the dedicated efforts from all involved, particularly the policy bureaus and departments, which led to a breakthrough in the government's public governance capabilities.

To ensure a comprehensive plan, I reviewed the successful experiences of Macau and mainland cities. This included organizing multiple opinion-collection sessions on the Legislative Council, where officials from the Constitutional and Mainland Affairs Bureau visited mainland cities to glean insights from their five-year plans. In April, I established a research and public-opinion gathering channel between the government and Legislative Council.

In June, the Hong Kong government released a consultation document, initiating a two-month public consultation process. Over 100 consultation sessions were held, and I personally attended more than 30 of them. I also visited various communities to gather Hong Kong's perspectives on the city's future development.

Out of the more than 17,000 submissions, 80 percent came from individual citizens. Leveraging artificial intelligence, my government analyzed the opinions to better understand the public's voice. The overwhelming response showed that Hong Kong people support creating the five-year plan and enhancing our traditional strengths, such as our international financial, trade, and maritime centers, as well as our status as an aviation hub.

The public also expressed a desire for the government to establish an international innovation and technology center, accelerate the development of the Northern Metropolis, and improve livelihoods and well-being.

My response to the query, "What does the five-year plan have to do with ordinary citizens like us?" remains steadfast: I want every Hong Kong resident to benefit from the development's dividends and experience a sense of happiness and fulfillment. The plan's vision for economic and social development aims to safeguard and improve people's livelihoods.

The five-year plan's proposals, which include bolstering Hong Kong's traditional advantages, developing new industries, accelerating the rise of the Northern Metropolis, deepening the Greater Bay Area's development, and fostering global cooperation, primarily focus on the economy. However, their ultimate goal is to enhance Hong Kong residents' overall well-being and happiness.

By providing more employment opportunities and greater upward mobility for our youth, the plan can transform governance from mere measures into tangible results.

Regarding the impact on Hong Kong's original system, the answer remains unchanged: the plan will uphold Hong Kong's rule of law, capitalist system, the Basic Law, and "one country, two systems" without disrupting the city's status as an international hub. It will also preserve the free flow of capital, people, goods, and information while maximizing the flexibility and benefits of the capitalist market.

As President Xi Jinping has emphasized repeatedly, "one country, two systems" is a robust framework that must be upheld in the long term. I will publish Hong Kong's first five-year plan on September 16, followed by the release of the 2026 policy address the following day. This arrangement allows the public to read both documents concurrently, promoting a deeper understanding of their interconnectedness.

The five-year plan outlines the long-term blueprint and strategic direction for Hong Kong's development, while the annual policy address serves as an annual report, detailing the government's implementation of the five-year plan's objectives in that specific year. Over the coming years, the annual policy addresses will continue to implement the blueprint, introducing policies and setting measures according to changing circumstances and economic dynamics.

The five-year plan is a monumental undertaking, orchestrated through collective planning, sectoral participation, and the cultivation of social consensus—a daunting task laden with responsibility and vast implications. The results, however, have inspired confidence, and I eagerly anticipate the feedback from Hong Kong's residents. With the robust support of our nation, Hong Kong is poised to embark on a bold new chapter in its journey towards stability and prosperity.