John Lee urges public to tune in to Legco debate on city’s 5-year plan, policy address

Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu has called upon Hong Kong residents to closely follow a three-day debate in the Legislative Council (Legco) regarding the city's inaugural five-year plan and policy address. The debate, scheduled to commence on Wednesday morning and conclude on Friday, will see government officials and lawmakers engage in a comprehensive discussion about the five-year plan's concept and particulars. Chief Secretary Eric Chan Kwok-ki will lead the government representatives present during the sessions.

Lee encouraged the public to pay close attention to the debate, emphasizing that it would enhance their understanding of the plan's importance and how the policy address would execute the plan's first-year initiatives. In June, Lee presented the latest annual policy address alongside the five-year plan, both of which aligned with China's national development strategy. The five-year blueprint aimed to double innovation spending and increase the share of manufacturing and new industries to 5.5% of the economy.

Upon the release of the blueprints, Lee met with Legco members, and senior officials held policy briefings for various Legco panels. Lawmakers expressed support for the plan's objectives and policy directions, offering suggestions in various areas. The five-year plan, a seven-part document referred to by Lee as an "action agenda" for Hong Kong's medium- and long-term development, outlines 105 indicators, including 22 major targets covering economic and innovation development, livelihood issues, and environmental protection.