China’s 15th Five-Year Plan, which was approved by national lawmakers in Beijing earlier this month, has reiterated the importance of leveraging Hong Kong’s unique strengths and competitive advantages to help achieve the country's strategic goals.

The economic blueprint, which sets out national policy priorities for the 2026-2030 five-year period, supports extending Hong Kong’s connectivity and cooperation with the Chinese Mainland, while continuing to consolidate and enhance the city’s international hub status in key areas, including finance, trade and logistics.

This includes further strengthening the city’s capabilities as a global offshore RMB business hub, and as an international centre for asset and wealth management and risk management. The development plan also specifies building up Hong Kong’s commodity trading ecosystem and value-added supply chain services.

In addition, it backs Hong Kong’s ongoing development as an international innovation and technology (I&T) centre, including fast-tracking the new Northern Metropolis growth corridor close to the border with Shenzhen.

In parallel, the Five-Year Plan supports deepening Hong Kong’s growth in international legal and dispute resolution services and in regional IP trading, as well as in international cultural exchange.

Both Hong Kong and Macao also have roles to play as international talent hubs.

At a recent seminar in Beijing exploring Hong Kong’s contribution to national development, Prof Frederick Ma, Chairman of the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), said that the Council will work with enterprises to help them align with the Five-Year Plan.

In recent weeks, the HKTDC has organised 14 forums in major cities, including Shanghai, Shenzhen, Chengdu and Hangzhou, to help Hong Kong companies better understand national policies and identify opportunities arising from the latest plan.

The HKTDC set up a 15th Five-Year Plan task force in January to coordinate with national, regional and sector-specific development plans, Prof Ma said.

The HKTDC also plans to launch a GoGlobal CONNECT service next month to help mainland enterprises expand overseas through Hong Kong.

Recently published analysis from HKTDC Research, Capturing the 15^th Five-Year Plan Opportunities, explored the economic blueprint in more depth, including Hong Kong’s alignment with national development, industrial priorities, innovation ecosystems, digital transformation, green goals and more.

Major national priorities outlined in China’s latest Five-Year Plan include expanding domestic demand, accelerating self-reliance in science and technology and continuing to open up internationally.

Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee has also confirmed that Hong Kong is drawing up its own Five-Year Plan, the city’s first, expected to be completed later this year.