Chief Executive John Lee has announced a comprehensive set of measures in his Policy Address to proactively align the city with overall national development. The blueprint focuses on deepening regional collaboration with the Mainland, while simultaneously boosting international exchanges, co-operation and participation to promote Chinese standards and the Belt & Road (B&R) Initiative.

High-quality development

To foster synergistic development and regional connectivity, the integration of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region into the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) will be strengthened. Key initiatives include supporting high-quality development of co-operation platforms in Qianhai and Nansha.

Mr Lee noted that the Hong Kong SAR Government will further enhance Qianhai’s role as a vital liaison point, strengthening connections between Hong Kong’s legal and professional services and GBA enterprises by leveraging the city’s unique professional strengths to help Mainland enterprises “go global”. Additionally, Hong Kong will back Nansha’s development as a national pilot area for climate investment and financing within the GBA.

The Chief Executive added that the Hong Kong SAR will participate in drafting national standards for hydrogen energy.   

Boosting connectivity

The Hong Kong SAR Government will continue to broaden international exchange networks and high-quality co‑operation under the B&R Initiative, focusing specifically on the “five areas of connectivity”. Mr Lee emphasised that the Hong Kong SAR Government will promote diverse, comprehensive and pragmatic collaboration while supporting community organisations in expanding international networks to achieve extensive consultation, joint contribution and shared benefits

Furthermore, the Hong Kong SAR Government will launch the Green Technology Bridgehead Programme. This initiative will bring together technology firms from the Mainland and overseas, utilising Hong Kong’s legal, financial and environmental expertise as a springboard to export green solutions to B&R countries.

To attract exceptional talent, the annual quota for the B&R Scholarship will increase to 200 places starting from the 2027-28 academic year. The scholarship scheme attracts outstanding students from B&R regions to pursue higher education in Hong Kong. As of the 2025-26 academic year, the initiative has benefitted students spanning 57 countries.

International platforms

The Chief Executive highlighted plans to deepen co-operation with the International Chamber of Commerce to elevate Hong Kong’s status as an international financial rule-maker, with the goal of attracting more global financial institutions to establish a presence in the city.

The Hong Kong SAR Government has dedicated full support to organise the upcoming Asia‑Pacific Economic Cooperation Finance Ministers’ Meeting, scheduled to be held in the city in October.

To further cement Hong Kong’s role as a premier global platform for high-quality financial dialogue, the Hong Kong SAR Government will continue to host major flagship events.

Visit Part VI of the Chief Executive’s Policy Address for more details.