Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee on Sept. 16 unveiled the first five-year plan for economic and social development of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (2026-2030) and delivered his 2026 Policy Address.
The Policy Address set out measures to deepen international co-operation and exchanges, detailing steps across finance, infrastructure, policing, health, innovation and sports.
Policy Address 2026: international co-operation measures
The Government said it will spare no effort in arranging and organizing the Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation Finance Ministers’ Meeting to be held in the HKSAR in October and will continue to host events that position Hong Kong as a global platform for high-quality financial dialogue.
The Development Bureau (DEVB) will again host the International Infrastructure and Projects Leaders Summit in November, showcasing Hong Kong and the Mainland’s advanced construction technologies.
The United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) has chosen to establish in Hong Kong its first centre of excellence on global advanced manufacturing in the Asia-Pacific region, which is expected to begin operation in the second quarter of next year.
The Government said it will deepen co-operation with the International Chamber of Commerce to raise Hong Kong’s status as a maker of international financial rules and to persuade more international financial institutions to establish a presence in the city.
With support from the country, the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) has pushed forward the establishment of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime’s GlobE Network Asia Pacific Regional Bureau in Hong Kong.
The Hong Kong Police Force will establish the Hong Kong International Academy of Policing in November to run international training programmes, police leadership forums and overseas outreach training programmes aimed at deepening international police exchanges.
The Health Bureau (HHB) is working with the Hospital Authority (HA) and coordinating relevant departments to establish an Emergency Medical Team and plans to apply to the World Health Organization next year for accreditation.
On innovation and technology, the Government will organize a large-scale international AI conference in Hong Kong to promote open source, openness, co-operation and sharing, and to foster development of AI innovation and applications. The Innovation and Technology Commission has launched the Special Call on Academic Journals and will soon announce vetting results to support local universities and professional organisations in publishing internationally influential academic journals and hosting international conferences.
A pilot scheme launched earlier this year provides financial support for local national sports associations to participate in Asian and international bodies and to attract those organisations to establish a presence in Hong Kong; to date, four associations have set up their headquarters or regional headquarters in the city.
To consolidate Hong Kong’s position as an Asia-Pacific broadcasting hub, the Government will review the Generic Codes of Practice for Television to ensure regulation keeps pace with the times and that diversified, quality programmes are broadcast to expand the reach of the “Hong Kong Brand” to the Asia-Pacific region.
