2025 Policy Address (Related Extract)

Chapter V - Integrate into the Overall National Development

77. As the world’s second-largest economy, our country contributes more than one-third of global economic growth, representing the greatest opportunity for Hong Kong’s development. We will fully integrate into the overall national development, capitalising on national strategies such as the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and high-quality co-operation under the Belt and Road (B&R) Initiative. In addition, this year is the preparatory year for the national 15th Five-Year Plan. Leveraging Hong Kong’s unique advantages, we will contribute to the national development, and deepen international exchanges and co-operation by connecting with the Mainland and the world. We will also attract more enterprises to use Hong Kong to expand overseas, thereby creating business opportunities and economic returns.

(B) Deepen International Exchanges and Co-operation

84. The Belt and Road Office will co-ordinate local public organisations and institutes to help train the personnel of B&R countries. It will also strive for more opportunities to match commercial projects in B&R markets with Hong Kong professional service sectors.

85. We support our country to promote the participation in green co-operation with B&R countries by, among other things, jointly setting up a B&R Green Development Co-operation Platform in Hong Kong with the B&R Initiative International Green Development Coalition. The Environmental Protection Department will set up a B&R sustainable green development training centre in Hong Kong in 2026, providing training courses for the personnel of B&R countries. The Hong Kong Jockey Club will support the initiative with funding of $100 million. In addition, we will support the local professional organisations¹ to promote green building assessment tools among B&R countries.

86. The Government will invite members of the Silk Road Maritime Association² to hold a summit during Hong Kong Maritime Week next year, promoting its participation in the B&R shipping brand.

Chapter VI - Consolidate Hong Kong’s Status as an International Hub

(A) International Financial Centre

Expedite the Building of an International Gold Trading Market

97. I have accepted the recommendations of the Working Group on Promoting Gold Market Development. The Financial Services and the Treasury Bureau will implement the relevant initiatives, including:

(v) Support the setting up of a trade association for the gold industry, with a view to establishing an exchange platform with the Government and regulators, stepping up promotional efforts and attracting more B&R clients, while strengthening talent training.

(C) International Shipping Centre

Build an International “Partner Port” Network

115. The Government will establish “partner port” relationships with Mainland regions of strategic collaboration significance, as well as B&R regions, and prepare for the development of a green shipping corridor.

(D) International Aviation Hub

Accelerate the Expansion of Aviation Network

124. Over the past two years, Hong Kong has expanded bilateral air services arrangements with more than 10 aviation partners, leading to an increase in flights to and from Australia and Turkey. We also reached a consensus with Chile last month, laying the foundation to establish a new air services agreement. We will encourage local and non-local airlines to operate more flights and work to forge more new air services agreements and expand traffic rights with South America, Central Asia, Africa and the Middle East as our priority target regions.

Chapter IX - Facilitate Stable Living in a Caring and Inclusive Society

(F) Support the Local Economy

Support Small and Medium Enterprises

240. Hong Kong is home to some 360 000 small and medium enterprises (SMEs), and they are the pillars of our economic development. To better cope with the city’s economic restructuring, the Government will introduce the following 11 measures to enhance support for SMEs:

(v) Inject $1.43 billion into the BUD Fund³ and expand its geographical scope to cover eight more economies, including B&R countries. We will also enhance promotion and facilitate the participation of companies in exhibitions and export marketing activities through “Easy BUD”.

[Other 10 measures are stipulated under the original version of the Policy Address.]

Annex: Indicators for Specified Tasks

Indicators for Specified Tasks in 2025 Policy Address

(II) Ongoing and Valid Indicators for Specified Tasks Introduced in the 2024 Policy Address

Deepen International Exchanges and Co-operation

5. Continue to promote Hong Kong as the functional platform for the B&R Initiative in 2026:

• Organise promotional programmes and networking sessions to be attended by no less than 7 500 persons in total;
• Reach out to no less than 560 professional and business associations, chambers and community groups; and
• Organise business missions to five B&R countries with about 120 participants in total.
(CEDB)

Full text of “The Chief Executive’s 2025 Policy Address”