Hong Kong launched a public consultation for its first five-year plan on Monday. The city's blueprint aims to align with mainland China's national development plan while maintaining a free-market economy.

Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs Janice Tse stated that mainland China initiated its 15th five-year plan for 2026 to 2030 this year. Tse said that under the plan, Hong Kong will strengthen its position as an international financial, maritime, and trade center. "Aligning with the national 15th five-year plan does not replace the free market. Rather, it channels a clear vision and strategic planning through major policies, and that allows the market to develop more stably and clearly," Tse said.

Hong Kong leader John Lee stated on June 9 that the five-year plan would better integrate a "capable government" with "an efficient market." Lee said the government plays a leading role in stimulating the market's competitiveness. "The plan also will help residents understand their personal development opportunities and ease business planning," Lee said.

Hong Kong officials have proposed accelerating the development of the Northern Metropolis, which envisions building a new IT hub and a university town near Shenzhen. Officials also hope to deepen the development of the Greater Bay Area, Beijing's plan to form an integrated business and economic hub that includes Hong Kong, Macao, and nine other mainland Chinese cities.

John Burns, a University of Hong Kong politics and public administration professor, said the city had previously disadvantaged itself without strategic planning. "This is the government selling its notion of a local five-year plan to the community that dovetails with central government priorities," Burns said. Separately, Burns stated that the consultation document mostly lacks specific targets and timelines.

The public consultation will last two months. Residents can submit opinions about the plan via a website, email, or letters, and the government will hold activities to hear opinions from residents, politicians, and industries. Officials aim to announce a finalized plan in the third quarter.

Hong Kong returned to Chinese rule in 1997 and operates with its own government, legislature, and legal system under Beijing's "one country, two systems" governing principle. In 2019, Beijing imposed a national security law following anti-government protests, which the Hong Kong government said was necessary for stability. Many leading activists were jailed under this law, and the city's legislature is filled with Beijing loyalists after an electoral overhaul.