Hong Kong's Chief Executive John Lee announced the First Five-Year Plan for Economic and Social Development of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (2026-2030) and his fifth Policy Address on September 16, rolling out measures to sharpen Hong Kong's edge amid global competition, consolidate development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA), and promote green transformation. The initiatives signal a more structured and proactive approach to regional integration, aiming to support high-quality development of the GBA, align rules and mechanisms, and promote cross-boundary collaboration.
"The HKSAR Government will continue its efforts in fostering synergistic development of the GBA," said Mr Lee. "We will strengthen co-operation in technological innovation, promote 'hard connectivity' in infrastructure, foster 'soft connectivity' by deepening the alignment of rules and mechanisms, and achieve 'connectivity of hearts' among residents of the three places." The plan emphasizes participation in major co-operation platforms, including Qianhai of Shenzhen, Nansha of Guangzhou, Hengqin of Zhuhai, and the Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Co-operation Zone.
In terms of "hard connectivity," the government will support Nansha as a high-standard gateway for opening up, encouraging trade participation in infrastructure development. Rail transit coordination is also advancing, with the Northern Link Project and the Hong Kong-Shenzhen Western Rail Link (Hung Shui Kiu-Qianhai) targeting commissioning in 2034 and 2035 respectively, to fully connect the rail networks of Hong Kong and Shenzhen. For "soft connectivity," a Task Force will explore ways to align rules and mechanisms within the GBA.
To achieve "Connectivity of Hearts," Hong Kong will strengthen co-operation between its higher education institutions and those in other GBA cities through cross-disciplinary partnerships, facilitating scientific research, knowledge transfer, and commercialisation. Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs Janice Tse noted that the First Five-Year Plan clearly states Hong Kong will participate in developing the GBA into an international first-class bay area and a world-class city cluster with global influence. "Hong Kong will forge closer alignment and synergy with the nine GBA cities in Guangdong Province and Macao, making full use of our respective advantages to jointly promote the high-quality development of the GBA," Miss Tse said.
Financial development in the GBA will be fostered through institutional innovation, financial infrastructure upgrading, and enhanced regulatory alignment to encourage the orderly flow of financial elements. Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited's Core Climate, in collaboration with the Guangzhou Power Exchange Centre, is working towards pilot trading of national renewable-energy green electricity certificates in Hong Kong in 2026. On green technology, the HKSAR Government will continue to support development through the HK$400 million (about US$51 million) Green Tech Fund, leveraging Hong Kong's function as a springboard for green technology and assisting national green technologies and products in going global, according to Secretary for Environment and Ecology Tse Chin-wan. He added that Hong Kong has participated in drafting national hydrogen energy standards to help align them with international practice.
To meet the country's "dual carbon" targets and Hong Kong's commitment to carbon neutrality before 2050, the government steered the establishment of a production base for sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) in Dongguan, leveraging Hong Kong enterprises' leading position in the international SAF industry. "By combining technology strengths with industrial foundation, Hong Kong and Guangdong will jointly develop a globally influential green industry," Mr Lee said. An SAF blending facility in Hong Kong will be built to create an end-to-end value chain and reduce logistics costs, with a target of achieving a 1% to 3% SAF consumption ratio for flights departing from Hong Kong International Airport in 2030.
The Five-Year Plan also promotes integrated development of culture, sports, and tourism to develop the GBA into a cultured bay area. Under the Agreement on Strengthening of Sports Cooperation and Promotion of Integrated Development, Hong Kong will deepen co-operation and strive to co-organise important regional and international single-sport events. It will also strengthen cultural exchanges, pass on Cantonese opera and Lingnan culture, and promote the sales and cross-boundary exhibition of Hong Kong publications.
These measures underscore Hong Kong's commitment to deepening integration with the GBA while advancing green transformation, positioning the city as a key player in regional and global sustainability efforts. For more information on Hong Kong's initiatives, visit https://www.brandhk.gov.hk/.
