Hong Kong's Chief Secretary for Administration, Chan Kwok-ki, stated on September 16 that the Five-Year Plan serves as a medium-to-long-term development blueprint, while the Policy Address translates these macro objectives into concrete annual actions. The two are inherently connected and mutually reinforcing, providing clear direction for Hong Kong's future development and offering residents, the business community, and investors a well-defined outlook.

Chan highlighted the significant importance of Hong Kong's First Five-Year Plan, which is rooted in the city's circumstances, aligned with national strategies, and oriented toward the global landscape. It clearly outlines the development direction, key focus areas, and action pathways for Hong Kong over the next five years. For residents, the Five-Year Plan brings vision and hope; for the business community and investors, it offers clarity on the city's future direction, identifies areas of opportunity, and shows how they can participate in Hong Kong's development.

This year's Policy Address converts the macro goals of the Five-Year Plan into specific annual policies, establishing governance priorities to translate planning into tangible outcomes. In other words, the Policy Address transforms the macro direction, strategic objectives, and development framework set by the Five-Year Plan into visible, achievable annual actions. While the Five-Year Plan charts the strategic course for the next five years, the Policy Address details the immediate steps to take this year and how to execute them.

Themed "Planning for the Long Term, Reforming for a New Chapter, Promoting Development for Opportunities, and Enhancing Livelihoods for the Future," this year's Policy Address proposes five major development opportunities and 25 livelihood priorities. Chan emphasized that in terms of livelihood and well-being, the Policy Address continues the current administration's people-centered governance philosophy. It introduces measures covering youth employment and development, housing, healthcare, community services, elderly care, caregiver support, labor protections, and enhanced government efficiency, ensuring precise resource allocation and addressing pressing challenges so residents can experience tangible improvements and share in development outcomes.

Regarding university towns, development in the Northern Metropolis is already yielding results, with plans to leverage the university town model to drive construction and technology-led industrial growth. The three university towns in San Tin, Hung Shui Kiu, and Ta Kwu Ling will be developed under a district-wide concept featuring the "Five Elements of a City"—education, technology, industry, talent, and urban development—positioning the Greater Bay Area and beyond as a talent hub, strengthening Hong Kong's status as an international education center, and attracting and retaining high-quality talent.

Chan noted that talent, industrial development, and corporate investment are closely interlinked. The Policy Address proposes accelerating medical innovation and industry chain development, building new frameworks for low-altitude and emerging economies, and advancing five major projects to invest in the future, all part of a comprehensive long-term strategy. In the field of artificial intelligence, the Policy Address emphasizes accelerating AI adoption across industries to drive industrial upgrading and enhance daily life, while also prioritizing AI risk governance. With the support of the newly established Digital Policy Office's AI Commissioner, the government will coordinate efforts to combat AI-related crime, strengthen protections for minors online, and study AI's impact on employment, achieving responsible and secure technological advancement.

Chan reaffirmed his commitment to fully supporting the Chief Executive's governance, overseeing and coordinating various policy bureaus and departments to ensure meticulous implementation of every initiative. He also pledged to continue rallying community efforts to create more development opportunities for Hong Kong.