Live: Policy Address 2025

Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu is announcing his fourth policy address at 11am today. As in the past three years, Lee continues to stick with green as the theme colour. TYR reporters will be covering today’s policy address live. Stay tuned for more.

1:54 PM

Lee concludes this year’s Policy Address, the second longest in history at 174 minutes.

1:53 PM

Lee emphasised that ethnic minorities are important members of the Hong Kong community, and the Home Affairs Department will set up one additional care team each to serve the Northern and Island Districts.

The government will also establish a Youth Network and a Women's Network at the 10 Support Service Centres for ethnic minorities to organise activities. An additional Interpretation and Translation Service Centre will be established in December.

1:51 PM 

The additional tax exemption for newborns is set to be extended from the first year to the first two years of the child's life. The tax exemption for parents with newborns will double from HK$130,000 to HK$260,000.  

The policy is implemented to encourage childbirth. According to the Census and Statistics Department, the total fertility rate in 2024 is 841 births per 1,000 women, lower than the government wants.

1:47 PM

Lee just passed the 2 hour 45 min mark, making this his longest policy address yet.

1:35 PM

The government will introduce a licensing scheme that permits dogs to enter designated restaurants. Approved eateries will display clear signage indicating that customers are allowed to bring dogs inside.

According to government statistics, the total number of pets in Hong Kong exceeds 400,000, which has generated significant consumer spending. The government supports the business sector in launching various pet-friendly activities and spaces to create new consumption scenarios.

1:32 PM

Victoria Harbour, Mirs Bay, and Port Shelter will be the main focus in developing the Beautiful Bay Area mentioned in China’s five-year plan. Ecosystem and shoreline protection-related policies will be implemented during the development.

1:31 PM

The government will reduce water and sewage charges for businesses in non-residential buildings by 50 per cent and extend the principal moratorium arrangement for one additional year to support small and medium-sized enterprises and the local economy.

1:28 PM

The government will enhance mental health measures, including regularising the three-tier emergency mechanism in secondary schools and encouraging more institutions to promote mental health on campus. A programme to train mental health promotion ambassadors will also be established, while the Department of Health will update its guidelines on social media usage among teens. Hong Kong's suicide rate has risen recently, with an especially significant increase in male victims.

1:14 PM

The housing supply for the Home Ownership Scheme and Green Form Subsidised Home Ownership Scheme will be increased to provide a greater number of affordable public housing units for low- and middle-income families to purchase.

More efforts will be made to assist tenants who are eligible for the subsidised scheme but are now living in private rental homes to access the public rental housing provided by the Hong Kong Housing Authority.

1:10 PM
After 11 years of Uber operating in Hong Kong, the government will work on legalising ride-hailing services within the current term of LegCo.

1:01 PM

The government is amending the Building Ordinance next year to enhance the deterrent effect against non-compliance with statutory notices or orders and serious unauthorised building works. Regulations of contractors will be strengthened.

12:54 PM

Hong Kong Tourism Board will hold an upgraded version of the Hong Kong Wine & Dine Festival from Oct 23 to 26 to promote Hong Kong bars and restaurants and attract more overnight tourists.

12:47 PM

The government will promote the development of aerospace science and technology to support the space economy. Over HK$100 million has been allocated to support six university R&D projects. The Commerce and Economic Development Bureau is exploring how to streamline the vetting of licence applications for Low Earth Orbit satellites and will promote 6G applications.

12:36 PM

Lee said that the UGC will provide HK$40 million for the eight funded universities to enhance publicity and the recruitment of teachers and students overseas and in the mainland. The EDB will also organise more summer study tours to attract non-local secondary school students.

12:35 PM

Lee said two universities that have been granted the title of “university of applied science” will collaborate with leading mainland and overseas enterprises to establish “a GBA exchange platform”. The universities will also be collaborating with leading polytechnic institutions in Guangdong.

12:35 PM

The Hong Kong Technology and Innovation Support Centre will go into official operation by the end of this year. The government will launch a two-year pilot programme to fund the centre in providing patent assessments in accordance with national standards for local small and medium-sized enterprises in the innovation and technology sector, serving as a reference for credit financing.

12:34 PM

Lee said that mutual recognition of sub-degree-level qualifications between Hong Kong and the mainland would be further investigated. Cross-boundary career exploration will be enhanced to increase the flow of graduate students between Hong Kong and the mainland.

12:34 PM

The government will launch a two-year programme to provide full subsidies for the configuration and use of high-tech prosthetics for amputees in Hong Kong, allowing them to benefit from new technologies.

12:29 PM

Lee said they will be launching the Hostel in the City Scheme to support the growing number of students enrolling in Hong Kong universities. The government will convert existing commercial buildings, including hotels, into student hostels.

12:24 PM

Lee said the government will develop a new form of fuel provisioning. The usage of green methanol, green ammonia and hydrogen will be investigated, and all vessels providing methanol bunkering services in Hong Kong waters will be required to install mass flow meters to improve bunkering efficiency.

12:18 PM

Starting from the 2026/27 academic year, the admission cap for non-local students funded by subsidised higher education institutions will be increased from the current 40% of local student places to 50%. Additionally, the excess admission cap for self-funded research postgraduate programmes will be raised from 100% to 120%.

12:17 PM

Lee said Hong Kong will leverage the airport's three-runway system to add more long-haul and transit routes, aiming to consolidate its world-leading cargo position and its status as a transit hub for the Greater Bay Area. He noted that the city is now connected to more than 200 destinations, with flight movements up more than 60% over the past two years. 

The government will expand air services agreements, with priority targets being South America, Central Asia, Africa, and the Middle East. This builds on earlier capacity investments and brings more city-pair options and competition for passengers and cargo.

12:16 PM

Lee said that the government will expand exemptions from the Air Passenger Departure Tax to include transit passengers via sea and land routes.

12:15 PM

Lee follows through with last year’s policy address to nurture the development of the commodity trading ecosystem. 

The government will be providing a 50% tax concession for commodity traders to set up businesses in Hong Kong, boosting shipping and maritime services in the city.

12:13 PM

Lee said the government will set up an Economic and Trade Office in Kuala Lumpur to strengthen economic and trade ties with ASEAN and neighbouring countries and further extend the ETO to Latin America and Central Asia.

12:05 PM
Lee said the government has come up with new strategies to have mainland companies expand overseas through Hong Kong. 

He emphasised Hong Kong's role as an "ideal platform for mainland companies to go global," saying that mainland companies setting up headquarters in Hong Kong can leverage Hong Kong's strengths in international marketing and connect with international customers. 

The government will capitalise this to unlock new areas for economic growth, with HKMA, the city's de facto central bank, encouraging mainland banks to set up headquarters in Hong Kong as well. Lee said this will enhance both the liquidity and global reach of Hong Kong's offshore RMB market.

12:01 PM

The government will amend legislation next year to lower the capital requirements for infrastructure investments and provide incentives for local projects, encouraging insurance funds to participate in infrastructure financing.

12:00 PM

Lee said the Shenzhen-Hong Kong West Rail (Hung Shui Kiu to Qianhai) has entered the procurement phase, with contractors and operators invited to inspect and express interest in the Hong Kong section. This builds on earlier plans to link the Hong Kong and Shenzhen metro networks and boost connectivity within the Greater Bay Area.

11:57 AM

Lee will be rolling out parcels of land for phase one of the Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Cooperation zone this year. The park is intended to attract global talents, create more jobs and accelerate technological development. Three buildings in the park have completed construction, with tenants from various pillar industries gradually moving in.

11:57 AM

Lee said Hong Kong ranks first in the world for IPO fundraising. As of the end of August, the total amount raised through IPOs has exceeded $130 billion, nearly six times that of the same period last year. The Hang Seng Index has risen by over 20% year-to-date, with an average daily turnover reaching $250 billion, almost double that of last year. The Hong Kong stock market continues to maintain strong momentum.

11:52 AM

The government will set up the Hong Kong Centre for Medical Products Regulation and submit a legislative proposal on regulating medical devices in 2026, looking forward to becoming an internationally recognised regulatory authority for medical products. The government will also expedite the "1+" mechanism for new drugs, piloting priority evaluation and approval of innovative drugs recommended by the Hospital Authority for treatment of severe or rare diseases.

11:51 AM

Lee said the government will construct Hong Kong's first large-scale electric vehicle (EV) battery recycling facility at the EcoPark, promoting the EV battery recycling industry and the New Energy Industry.

11:51 AM

The government will expand the application of AI and promote AI applications in government services. Government departments are to develop their own AI solutions, while the Department of Justice is set to establish an interdepartmental working group to review legislation to support wider AI applications.

11:50 AM

A site of approximately 10 hectares will be tendered at Sandy Ridge in the North District for the development of a data facility cluster this year. It will provide advanced computing facilities to promote the development of data and AI-related industries, alongside the establishment of the Cyberport AI Supercomputing Centre and the government's launch of the AI subsidy programme.

11:45 AM

Lee said the government has reached a letter of intent with a leading European aviation service company, Elior Group SA, to operate in Hong Kong. The company will provide aircraft dismantling, as well as recovery and trading services for high-value parts. This initiative will create new job opportunities throughout the industry's value chain and collaborate with the Hong Kong International Aviation Academy to provide relevant professional training, thereby strengthening Hong Kong's position as an international aviation hub.

11:44 AM

The government will look to establish a more flexible mechanism for formulating preferential policy packages. This allows the Chief Executive and Financial Secretary to introduce tax incentives to attract more foreign enterprises and value-added industries to invest in Hong Kong.

11:42 AM

As part of the government’s plan to combat unemployment rates, Lee plans to create more high-quality job opportunities and boost people’s income by supporting the service industry. 

The government will consolidate strengths in sectors such as financial and legal services, while also encouraging growth in advanced manufacturing, new energy, AI and data science.

11:38 AM
The government will review the performance appraisal system for civil servants to assist the heads of departments to boost overall effectiveness. 

The Civil Service Bureau will conduct a study to develop a more rigorous performance appraisal system.

11:33 AM
Lee just announced to the establishment three working groups for expediting the development of the Northern Metropolis and bringing in different industries, including the Working Group on Devising Development and Operation Models, the Working Group on Planning and Construction of the University Town, and the Working Group on Planning and Development.

11:32 AM

Lee establishes the Committee on Development of the Northern Metropolis under his leadership to accelerate the development of the Northern Metropolis. 

The committee will fast-track workflows and remove any barriers and restrictions. Superior construction methods from various regions will be adopted to reduce construction costs and time. Various models will also be utilised to encourage market participation and accelerate development. This may include public tenders, restricted tenders, or direct land grants.

11:29 AM

Lee unveils the Heads of Department Accountability System, a new initiative aimed at institutionalising accountability across departments and bureaus and improving the management effectiveness of the government.

A new investigative mechanism will be introduced as part of the system, with management problems divided into two tiers: The HoD Accountability System will take up the investigation of more serious problems.

This comes as the government was embroiled in a scandal of ordering bottled water for its offices and highlighted a lapse in managerial accountability within government departments.

11:23 AM

The government will establish an "AI Efficiency Enhancement Team" to coordinate and guide various government departments in effectively applying AI technology. This initiative aims to drive improvements in workflows through technological innovation, implement AI governance, and promote the widespread application and development of AI across various industries, thereby enhancing social efficiency.

11:22 AM
Lee has announced plans to collaborate with Shenzhen to promote a red education route and patriotic education facilities in the mainland, to enhance understanding of the history of the War of Resistance, Hong Kong’s name for its resistance against the Japanese during the Second Sino-Japanese War.

11:18 AM
Lee wears the green tie that was featured in a promotional video for the Policy Address.

Designed and manufactured by fashion design students and teachers, the tie combines elements of three major bridges in Hong Kong, matching the main colour of the Policy Address that has been used since 2022.

Legislative councillors also wear the green tie or scarves to show their support.

12:18 PM

Starting from the 2026/27 academic year, the admission cap for non-local students funded by subsidised higher education institutions will be increased from the current 40% of local student places to 50%. Additionally, the excess admission cap for self-funded research postgraduate programmes will be raised from 100% to 120%.

12:17 PM

Lee said Hong Kong will leverage the airport's three-runway system to add more long-haul and transit routes, aiming to consolidate its world-leading cargo position and its status as a transit hub for the Greater Bay Area. He noted that the city is now connected to more than 200 destinations, with flight movements up more than 60% over the past two years. 

The government will expand air services agreements, with priority targets being South America, Central Asia, Africa, and the Middle East. This builds on earlier capacity investments and brings more city-pair options and competition for passengers and cargo.

11:12 AM
As usual, Lee starts off discussing “One Country, Two Systems”, emphasising the stability and national security of Hong Kong.

11:03 AM
John Lee Ka-chiu has started presenting his Policy Address to the Legislative Council.