Leung: HK should 'raise its hands' for wider strategic role

The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region should "proactively align with, and raise its hands" to contribute to national goals even if they are not explicitly assigned to the city in the country's sweeping national blueprint, Leung Chun-ying, vice-chairman of the country's top political advisory body, said of the draft outline of the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-30) and the SAR's role within it.

Leung, vice-chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), said the new socioeconomic road map reaffirms the central government's backing for Hong Kong's core strength as a global financial, shipping and trade hub.

Maintaining this status will demand "long-term resolve", he said, while adding the city's role in overall national development is "not confined" to these areas.

The SAR's professional international trade services are especially well-suited to help carry Chinese mainland products and services of all sectors through their "final mile" to markets worldwide, he said.

Leung made the remarks at a press conference in Beijing, at a time when the country's top legislative and political advisory bodies are in the midst of their annual plenary meetings, known as the two sessions.

The fourth session of the 14th National People's Congress and the fourth session of the 14th National Committee of the CPPCC are slated to conclude on Thursday and Wednesday respectively.

On deepening Hong Kong's long-entrenched strongholds, Leung stressed the focus should be on "enhancement, elevation, going forward", rather than merely "expansion" in scale.

To illustrate the point, he cited Hong Kong's shipping sector, which has long revolved around shore-based activities for growth. In contrast, London — despite not having any ports among the world's largest by container volume — has built the world's most valuable shipping services hub, largely cornering markets in high-value areas such as vessel sales and purchases, leasing, financing, registration, insurance and legal services.

"(Such services) are of paramount importance to the country," Leung said, and Hong Kong's common law system and sound legal environment make it a "well-suited" candidate to become a national center for international maritime legal services.

"Elevating growth" requires long-term thinking, Leung said, adding that his partnership with the University of Hong Kong since last year to train young maritime legal professionals has an estimated 20-year horizon before they are ready to meet the country's needs.

In future, the city must strive to provide more diversified, high-end, value-added financial services across various industries, according to Leung. He called not only for greater investment promotion but also for stronger public outreach to ensure young aspirants are aware of related career opportunities.

Leung brushed aside concerns that the SAR's inaugural five-year plan — covering a period beyond the current administrative term — might lose steam.

"Straddled timelines of this kind are nothing new", he said, "and major developments like the Northern Metropolis are by no means something that can be completed within a chief executive's five-year tenure.

"A five-year plan should not be viewed through a five-year lens," he added. "We should adopt a longer view."