Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu has said that Xia Baolong — head of the Hong Kong and Macao Work Office of the Communist Party of China Central Committee — affirmed the city’s efforts in drafting its own five-year plan and its progress in the economy, innovation and social security.
Lee’s remarks came as Xia concluded his two-day inspection tour of the Hong Kong on Wednesday, which focused on the city’s alignment with the national 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-30) and its Northern Metropolis development.
On Wednesday, Xia, who’s also director of the State Council’s Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office, visited the new Huanggang Port in Shenzhen and the container terminal operated by COSCO Shipping International (Hong Kong) in Kwai Chung.
The new Huanggang port, which is due to open next month, will be the world’s largest land checkpoint and adopt a new “collaborative inspection and joint clearance” model. During the visit, Xia was briefed on the port redevelopment by representatives from both Shenzhen and Hong Kong, while the SAR authorities also outlined legislative work for the port’s co-location arrangement.
During his stop at the container terminal, officials toured the port by car to observe its operations, while local officials and terminal managers introduced Hong Kong’s maritime port industry and the terminal’s development, including its transformation, automation and data platform.
At a media briefing on Wednesday after the tour, Lee said Xia had commended the SAR government’s commitment and progress in drafting Hong Kong’s first five-year plan, as well as the city’s achievements in safeguarding national security, economic development and innovation.
According to Lee, Xia pointed out that the city’s new blueprint should directional, strategic and actionable, and the annual Policy Address should align with it, setting clear targets and tracking progress.
Lee said Hong Kong would spare no effort in drafting the five-year plan. He also pledged to further accelerate the Northern Metropolis development, integrating education, technology, talent, industry and urban construction.
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Hong Kong Security Secretary Chris Tang Ping-keung, who accompanied Xia on his stop at new Huanggang Port, said on social media that the superstructure of the port building is nearly complete, while interior work and facilities are being installed by both sides. Tang noted that a draft bill, which authorizes the HKSAR to exercise jurisdiction over the Hong Kong port area of the new port, will be reviewed by the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress (NPC) next week. After NPC authorization and State Council approval, the SAR government will submit the relevant bill to the Legislative Council for scrutiny.
After updating Xia on the development of Hong Kong’s maritime sector, Secretary for Transport and Logistics Mable Chan said the nation has placed great trust in the SAR as the 15th Five-Year Plan calls for strengthening its role as a global hub for finance, shipping, trade and aviation. She said Hong Kong will continue to pursue its vision as the global maritime capital by advancing intelligence, digitalization and green initiatives of ports, while continuously refining tax incentives.
On Tuesday – the first day of the tour, Xia inspected the Northern Metropolis’ key projects spanning industry, innovation, education, and people’s livelihoods.
This included the site of the Northern Metropolis University Town in Hung Shui Kiu / Ha Tsuen New Development Area, light public housing project Yau Pok Road estate, and the Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Co-operation Zone. He was briefed on the project progress, as well as transport infrastructure plans for the new town.
