John Lee: The Policy Address includes multiple measures to promote Hong Kong's economic development, with future new opportunities focusing more on "going global."

According to the Zhitong Finance APP, on September 18, Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee attended the question-and-answer session for the "Chief Executive's 2025 Policy Address" and stated that the new "Policy Address" elaborates on the government's strategic deployment and specific actions in developing the Northern Metropolis (BeiDu) and industrial innovation, leveraging Hong Kong's role as a platform for "bringing in" and "going out," and deepening international exchanges and cooperation. This not only represents Hong Kong's full effort to "fight for the economy, seek development, and benefit people's livelihoods," accelerating the process of moving from governance to prosperity, but also reflects Hong Kong's proactive alignment with national development strategies to achieve breakthroughs in new situations. John Lee pointed out that in his more than three years in office, he has actively promoted government and social reforms, focusing on economic construction and improving people's livelihoods. Achievements have been seen in various areas, including the practical implementation of "one country, two systems," government governance, economic development, and social welfare. To further strengthen governance, he established a "Department Head Accountability System" and enhanced the civil service evaluation mechanism. Additionally, he set up an "AI Efficiency Enhancement Group" to coordinate and guide various government departments in effectively applying AI technology. The government places great importance on the governance and risk prevention of AI applications, requiring that the information systems of the government and public institutions undergo repeated testing, auditing, and continuous monitoring to ensure safety. Under the premise of ensuring safety, the government will promote AI development, advance AI+ development, implement AI governance, and facilitate the widespread application of AI across various industries. John Lee stated that in terms of the economy, this year's "Policy Address" elaborates on the government's strategic deployment and specific actions in developing the Northern Metropolis (BeiDu) and industrial innovation in two dedicated chapters titled "Accelerating the Development of the Northern Metropolis" and "Industrial Development and Innovation." The Northern Metropolis is a new engine for Hong Kong's economic development, with enormous potential. After three years of government efforts, the basic planning for BeiDu has been released, and it is currently a period of accelerated development, making it the best time to introduce industries and major projects. He decided to elevate the decision-making level for BeiDu's development by establishing a "Northern Metropolis Development Committee," simplifying administrative procedures, breaking down barriers, and formulating operational models for various development zones in BeiDu with new thinking, including promoting the construction of a university town and establishing exclusive laws to accelerate the development of BeiDu. The government will also introduce and cultivate industries and formulate a package of preferential policies to discuss settlement details with industries in a faster and more flexible manner, creating more high-income quality jobs and enhancing productivity. Under "one country, two systems," Hong Kong simultaneously possesses the dual overlapping advantages of national and international opportunities. In the past, while leveraging its unique advantages of "bringing in" and "going out," Hong Kong focused more on "bringing in." However, future new opportunities for Hong Kong will focus more on "going out." This breakthrough stems from the reshaping of the global trade order, where mainland enterprises are no longer focused on a single country but are actively exploring emerging markets. The "Policy Address" emphasizes how Hong Kong can better integrate into the national development landscape, including driving "bringing in" and "going out," leveraging its role as a platform for "going out," deepening international exchanges and cooperation, and continuing to deepen the construction of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. It also proposes a series of measures to consolidate Hong Kong's status as an international center, including financial, trade, shipping centers, as well as international innovation and technology centers, international aviation hubs, and international legal and dispute resolution service centers. This includes leveraging advantages in finance, trade, professional services, supply chain management, and professional networks to create jobs and income, further promote headquarters economy, and bring more business opportunities Hong Kong will also develop an integrated approach to education, technology, and talent, building a high-end talent hub while promoting the coordinated development of culture, sports, and tourism, allowing citizens to live in communities with economic prosperity and cultural vitality. Another main focus of the "Policy Address" is improving people's livelihoods. Improving livelihoods is the ultimate goal of governance: to provide better housing for citizens, more income for workers, better care for the elderly, and better development opportunities for youth. Livelihoods are closely related to the economy; economic growth is the foundation for improving livelihoods, creating jobs and wealth; improvements in livelihoods drive social demand, stimulate market vitality, and promote economic development. The economy and livelihoods complement each other. The "Policy Address" dedicates a major chapter to livelihoods, which is the longest section of the entire report, covering nine important areas closely related to citizens' lives, including land and housing, transportation, medical care, social welfare, labor protection, and community care and inclusion. This includes: continuously increasing the supply of public housing to enrich the homeownership ladder; continuously developing land to increase land reserves to meet the needs of large development projects, long-term economic development, and citizens' housing; facilitating transportation through smart green public transport systems and promoting autonomous vehicles; deepening medical reform to enhance the sustainability of the healthcare system, strengthen primary healthcare, increase healthcare personnel, and promote the development of traditional Chinese medicine and medical innovation. The authorities have also launched a "combination of measures" to support Hong Kong's local economy, including support for small and medium-sized enterprises, promoting diversified economic development, advancing fisheries and agriculture, and promoting pet-friendly environments. At the same time, Hong Kong will support and protect labor through a series of measures to ensure local workers have priority in employment; continue targeted poverty alleviation by directing resources to those most in need; and in terms of elderly care, will continue to promote the principle of "home-based elderly care as the foundation, residential care as the backup," strengthen residential care services, and optimize elderly care arrangements in the Greater Bay Area. To address the challenges of an aging society, the government will establish a "Task Force on Aging Society Strategies." Additionally, Hong Kong will continue to promote women's development, encouraging childbirth through a "combination of measures," protecting children and supporting schoolchildren, and enhancing support for ethnic minorities