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John Lee policy address 2026

John Lee policy address 2026
Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu delivered his fifth policy address alongside the city's first-ever five-year plan on September 16, 2026.
Hongkongers sweltered under record temperatures in August. Photo: Karma Lo
The Labour Department issues heat-stress alerts for outdoor workers when temperatures soar. Photo: Karma Lo
Hong Kong environmental issues

Lack of heat plan leaves Hong Kong’s vulnerable residents at risk, experts warn

Extreme heat may have contributed to as many as 3,238 excess deaths in the city over the past decade, new research shows.

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Hong Kong politics

Hong Kong lawmakers back 5-year plan as firms urged to align with blueprint

Hong Kong economy

Hong Kong’s third-quarter GDP grows, but external risks persist: Paul Chan

Hong Kong politics

John Lee urges public to tune in to Legco debate on city’s 5-year plan

Hong Kong legislature set to discuss concept and details of city’s first five-year blueprint and latest policy address from Wednesday to Friday.

Chief Executive John Lee says Legco will have an “in-depth” discussion on both blueprints from Wednesday to Friday. Photo: Karma Lo
Hong Kong science and tech

Hong Kong outlines 4-step AI talent plan to help graduates navigate job market

Permanent Secretary Kevin Choi says government aims to boost digital literacy at ‘population scale’, viewing AI as catalyst rather than threat.

Hong Kong society

Helpers, employers voice concerns over Hong Kong plan to import carers in 2027

Foreign domestic carers will be paid 10 to 20 per cent more than general helpers, labour chief Chris Sun says.

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Hong Kong politics

Hong Kong marks National Day with fireworks, discounts as Lee hails city’s role

City leader John Lee highlights Hong Kong’s international role and strategic goals as a market economy under ‘one country, two systems’.

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The view from Golden Bauhinia Square in Wan Chai as fireworks light up the night sky over Victoria Harbour. Photo: Dickson Lee
John Lee (centre) and other top officials at a reception to celebrate the 77th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China, held at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre in Wan Chai on Thursday. Photo: Karma Lo
Top officials gather at a National Day flag-raising ceremony at Golden Bauhinia Square in Wan Chai. Photo: Karma Lo
Helicopters fly the flags of Hong Kong and China over the city on Thursday. Photo: Karma Lo
Artificial intelligence

Letters | Hong Kong need not build its ‘AI City Brain’ from scratch

Readers discuss the government’s plan to use artificial intelligence, and the death of a boarding school student from Hong Kong in the UK.

Hong Kong economy

Opinion | Raising Hong Kong’s birth rate is an economic imperative

Economies competing in an AI-driven future will need more highly skilled workers, not fewer. Low fertility is not only a social challenge – it’s an economic threat.

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Hong Kong society

Editorial | Hong Kong moves in the right direction on minors’ social media use

The question is not whether governments should act to protect children online but how. The city has chosen careful study over slogans.

Two girls gaze intently at a smartphone at a fast food outlet in Kennedy Town on August 7. Photo: Karma Lo
Hong Kong economy

Opinion | How Hong Kong is trying a new solution to its land value problem

After decades of lucrative land sales, can the city finally build a system in which the land itself creates economic value?

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Village houses at Yau Kom Tau, Tsuen Wan, Hong Kong, in 2023. Since the colonial era, restrictions on land supply and the sale of development rights have generated substantial government revenue. Photo: Dickson Lee
Hong Kong society

Hong Kong delays AI copyright law to focus on guidelines first

Government puts legal amendment on hold to draft guidelines balancing creative rights with tech development.

Hong Kong economy

Hong Kong is fast-tracking Northern Metropolis links. Will they be ready in time?

Completion of Tsing Lung Bridge and San Tin section of main highway brought forward, but experts warn people will be arriving far earlier.

Hong Kong society

Legislation among options to regulate minors’ social media use: justice minister

Paul Lam dismisses concerns that measures could infringe on individual rights, saying goal is to protect children in Hong Kong from online harms.

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Hong Kong’s justice minister has dismissed concerns that regulating minors' use of social media will infringe on their rights, saying the goal is to protect children from online harms. Photo: Eugene Lee
Hong Kong society

Hong Kong to only admit ‘few hundred’ foreign carers a year under pilot scheme

Welfare minister Chris Sun promises ‘rigorous’ approach for scheme to recruit skilled carers, following concerns of helper market disruption.

Welfare minister Chris Sun earlier said the minimum wage of incoming carers would be 10 to 20 per cent higher than that of existing helpers. Photo: Karma Lo
Hong Kong

Hong Kong pledges lenient approach on 10-12 hours of civil service family leave

Civil service chief Ingrid Yeung says applications for new hourly leave scheme will be straightforward, with minimal proof needed.

Hong Kong society

Opinion | Hong Kong needs social science to help deliver on its 5-year plan

Universities and academics can contribute the evidence needed to turn these commitments into better decisions.

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Mental health

Letters | Hong Kong’s mental health narrative must instil a sense of hope

Readers discuss how the chief executive positioned mental health in his policy address, and the suggestion that Hong Kong should import New York’s drug court model.

Pedestrians holding umbrellas make their way across a street in Tai Po during a downpour on July 17. Photo: Jelly Tse
Hong Kong

Hong Kong doesn’t need to match Singapore’s HK$400,000 birth perk: top official

Deputy Chief Secretary Warner Cheuk says 11-measure policy drive is ‘comprehensive’ approach tailored to local needs.

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Hong Kong economy

Foreign chambers back Hong Kong 5-year plan, urge progress on Northern Metropolis

Focus on city’s role in helping mainland Chinese businesses go global is attractive to foreign investors, chamber heads say.

Hong Kong’s first 5-year plan

Opinion | Hong Kong’s 5-year plan could have been more ambitious

The series of anticipatory goals – only five out of 22 are binding – gives the impression of a cautious, not confident, government.

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Television screens at a store in Quarry Bay show a live broadcast of Chief Executive John Lee delivering his fifth policy address and unveiling the city’s first five-year plan on September 16. Photo: Karma Lo
Mainland China

Hong Kong’s first 5-year plan to give firms more long-term certainty: Paul Chan

Finance chief says blueprint’s targets and timelines will help businesses align investment decisions with government goals.

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Construction is under way at the Hong Kong-Shenzhen Innovation and Technology Park at the Lok Ma Chau Loop. Photo: Silvia Siu
Hong Kong economy

Hong Kong to open waters to Guangdong yachts under southbound scheme from October

Transport chief Mable Chan says scheme expected to boost cross-border leisure spending and support Hong Kong’s yacht economy.

Hong Kong economy

Hong Kong leader says firms must strive to survive despite government support

Chief Executive John Lee defends policy address, saying government aid can help but businesses must also adapt in competitive market.

Foreign domestic workers in Hong Kong

Foreign carer scheme may drive up wages, leave poor without help, employers warn

Hong Kong will admit foreign carers with more advanced training and experience in elderly care under pilot scheme unveiled in policy address.

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An employers’ group says 30 per cent of the city’s more than 378,000 helpers are already caring for elderly people. Photo: Karma Lo
Hong Kong economy

Opinion | More than ever, Hong Kong’s global character is an asset to the nation

The city can bridge China and the world, adding value to every connection, but to deliver on this promise, it needs everyone on board.

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Illustration: Henry Wong
Hong Kong society

Foreign carers for elderly to get 10 to 20% more pay than current helpers

Carers must also have received elderly care training recognised by Hong Kong and possess at least three years of experience looking after older people.

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Hong Kong economy

Hong Kong to recruit AI chief by mid-2027, with confidence in local talent pool

Post will pay up to HK$278,200 per month, authorities reveal, adding they also understand public concerns over bolstering cybercrime laws.

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