Hong Kong’s John Lee pledges to align with nation’s new 5-year plan

Hong Kong’s leader has pledged to align with national strategies outlined in the country’s latest five-year plan and transform the city’s “new positionings, functions and missions” assigned by Beijing into “tangible outcomes” to drive economic growth.Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu also said on Thursday that he would lead the local government in fulfilling its primary responsibility to unite society in proactively aligning with the 15th five-year plan, which outlines China’s economic and social development targets for 2026 to 2030.“Hong Kong must seize every opportunity to align proactively with national strategic requirements,” Lee said on social media.“We will transform the ‘new positioning, functions and missions’ tasked by the central government into tangible outcomes that drive high-quality economic development and improve people’s livelihoods.”His comments came as China’s legislature, the 14th National People’s Congress, concluded its fourth session and approved the outline of the 15th five-year plan. It also passed the Ethnic Unity and Progress Promotion Law and the National Development Planning Law.According to the plan outline, Hong Kong has been commissioned to build a commodity trading ecosystem, a high-quality supply chain service centre and a global hub for high-end talent.Beijing has reiterated its support for Hong Kong as an international centre for finance, shipping, trade, aviation and innovation and technology, while strengthening its functions as a global offshore renminbi business hub.