Live: Hong Kong Policy Address 2026

Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu is announcing Hong Kong’s 2026 Policy Address alongside Hong Kong's Five-Year Plan at 11am today.  TYR reporters will be covering the policy address live and will be making regular updates. 

2:00 PM

The 2026 Policy Address has now concluded, being the shortest policy address in Lee's term as Chief Executive.

1:48 PM

In response to extreme weather caused by global warming, Hong Kong civil engineering will enhance resilience by adapting updated building standards and upgrading utilities collaborating with AAHK and MTR Corporation. Facilities for resilience include drainage systems, sewage tunnels, and wave walls, 20 areas of which have been completed and the remaining is under active construction, expected to be done by 2030.  

1:47  PM

Hong Kong will get an “AI city brain” to help the government run better. Big data analytics and real time data will help the city handle emergencies, Lee said, such as during extreme weather. He announced a task force to manage this.

1:35 PM

Regarding elderly support, an additional 2,000 community care service vouchers for the elderly will be provided, bringing the total to 18,000 in 2027–28. The number of residential care service vouchers will also be increased to 8,000. In addition, five new subsidised day care facilities offering around 200 service places will be set up, along with five new neighbourhood elderly centres that will help older people integrate into the community and are expected to serve 5,000 people a year.

1:32 PM

 Lee announced new measures to support the city’s caregivers, including a 10% increase in subsidies for carers of low-income elderly people and people with disabilities. Caregiver welfare is an escalating social issue in Hong Kong driven by a large aging population, with more than 1 million caregivers estimated in the city and 180,000 of them elderly themselves. 

1:18 PM

Starting from 2028, the government will build 35,000 public housing units each year for the next five years, which is a 70% increase compared with the level when Lee first took office in 2022. At the same time, the average waiting time for public housing has fallen from 6.1 years four years ago to 4.8 years now.  

1:16 PM

The government will extend the “Healthy Mind Pilot Project” to all district health centres as part of the 11 mental health measures.

This project is a Hong Kong government-funded primary healthcare initiative, first launched in August 2024, to provide free mental health assessments on a trial basis for members of the Tuen Mun District Health Centre, Yau Tsim Mong District Health Centre Express, and Eastern District Health Centre Express.

Lee announced 11 mental health measures. Over the last few years, the government has focused on improving mental health support systems for young people as reports show that depression and anxiety have reached record highs among young people and caregivers. Initiatives feature the continuation of the 2026/27 three-tier school emergency system, more teacher and practitioner training in student mental healthcare, parent educational programmes towards schoolchildren's mental health, and launching an exhibition aiming to remove societal prejudice.

1:11 PM

In the healthcare system reform, the  disease prevention system will be enhanced. Elderly medical service capacity is expected to increase, shortening the queuing time by two-thirds. The quota for family medical clinics places will rise by 220,000. Preventive screenings will be provided, for specified groups such as patients with “three-highs” and other chronic diseases.  

1:06 PM

To promote births to raise the falling fertility rate in the city, Lee said the government will increase the newborn baby bonus from HK$20,000 to HK$30,00 and extend the bonus for three years.

1:02 PM

The government will expand internship and training schemes across the city’s public science bodies, including The Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation, to create more job opportunities for entry-level jobseekers and those with no prior job experience.

1:01 PM

For the Belt-and-Road initiative, various initiatives will be undertaken through various platforms, across up to 200 Belt-and-Road regions, including environmental protection schemes and collaboration with green technology companies

12:54 PM

Lee said the construction across the Northern Metropolis is accelerating, with active development now underway across nine key areas. The government also promised to streamline procedures for lower costs and fast-track execution. 

The Northern Metropolis project spans 30,000 hectares, roughly one-third of Hong Kong’s total land area, and features a university town and several innovation hubs. Its goal is to broaden the city’s economic base by fostering technology and innovation. The planned population for the area will be around 2.5 million when fully completed.

12:49 PM

Lee gives more details on the university town campus in the Northern New Territories development, including how it will integrate arts and green development and the merging of emerging and traditional industries. It will have a "unique style” with “five developments." Starting next academic year there will be an additional $20 million for knowledge transfer. In 2029-2030, more funds will promote the use of AI and emerging technologies.

12:40 PM

Lee said that the Innovation and Technology Commission will launch a new round of special calls on aerospace technology. The government’s emphasis on supporting technology research related to national space missions announced streamlined licensing arrangements for roles that have all these satellites licensed.

12:36 PM

The Policy Address establishes boundaries for AI risk and compliance. It examines the legal liability arising from accidents or damages caused by AI products and reviews existing laws. Regulations have already been incorporated into application guidelines for AI agents, and guidelines on the safe and reliable management of AI agents will be released next year in collaboration with the Hong Kong AI & Data Laboratory. 

12:32 PM

The Hong Kong government will increase funding for AI projects and to  assist  Hong Kong SMEs in adopting relevant AI technologies and to enhance employees' professional abilities

12:25 PM

Lee mentioned that there will be a gold express for gold traders who take part in gold trading in Hong Kong. The government will encourage the establishment of industry associations in the gold industry.

12:25 PM

Regarding financial risk management, Lee says Crypto tech systems will be used to avoid online fraud, especially those involving AI-generated content, to detect suspicious transactions and money laundering using big data.

12:21 PM

Lee said the government intends to set up an exhibition gallery to showcase the achievements of the city as an international financial centre.

12:20 PM

Lee has finished his briefing on the Five-Year Plan and is now shifting focus to the 2026 Policy Address.

Hong Kong adopts its first Five-Year Plan for 2026-30 with some notable targets:
• Innovation spending to rise ~10% annually
• Manufacturing/new industrialization targeted at 5.5% of GDP after 2030
• Non-local post-secondary enrollment targeted at 100K by 2029-30, ↑25% ...

— Joel Chan (@kjoules) September 16, 2026

11:59 AM

Lee laid out a long‑term housing strategy in this year’s Policy Address. Building on last year’s housing plans, the government wants a multi‑tier housing supply system. It will deliver 30,000 Light Public Housing units by 2027. Public housing waiting time will fall to 4.5 years in 2026‑27 and under 4 years by 2030‑31. About 196,000 homes will be built in five years. Around 2500 hectares of land will come over the next decade, including 1400 hectares within five years. Modular construction will help finish flats faster for young would‑be buyers and public housing applicants. This affects low‑income families waiting for public housing and young people hoping to buy their first home. The policy sets firm land and housing targets. For Hong Kong, shorter waits and more land could ease the city’s long‑standing housing pressure for ordinary households

11:56 AM

Within five years, Hong Kong will build district health centres across all 18 districts, boost mental‑health support, roll out personalized health plans and disease screening, while improving public‑medical sustainability in service quality.

11:54 AM 

Lee said Hong Kong will continue to boost youth internships, ethnic minority support, and women’s empowerment. The government will expand partnerships to increase internship opportunities for young people on enhancing education and career pathways for ethnic minorities.

11:53 AM

Lee announces deep patriotic and values ​​education to continuously enhance Hong Kong students' international perspectives. Improve the teacher registration mechanism and teacher training framework to comprehensively enhance the quality of education. 

11:52 AM

Lee proposes to broaden the worldwide perspectives of students to create a diverse and inclusive learning environment, and to encourage them to embrace mainland and overseas learning opportunities. He also mentions enhancing the allocation of resources, the teacher training framework, school administration efficiency, and the expansion of the city’s high-level education landscape.

11:52 AM

Lee stated that improving people's well-being and perfecting social welfare are the ultimate goals of the government's administration. The challenges of an aging population and declining fertility rates resulting from demographic shifts, and continuously improving education and training, housing supply, labor welfare, healthcare services, and youth development to steadily enhance the people's sense of gain

11:48 AM

Lee announced plans to step up collaboration with Macao and encourage industries to participate in the Hengqin-Guangdong-Macao Intensive Cooperation Zone to seize opportunities from the integrated development of the two regions. Lee said deep regional cooperation with the Mainland will also strengthen professional collaboration, market, activity exchanges, and talent exchange.

11:47 AM

Lee proposes to foster maritime economy collaboration with Nanshan, plus to attract more people to job opportunities in Nanshan for talent exchange.

11:45 AM

The government plans to promote cross-border data flow, including the sharing of medical records. This builds on the "Cross-boundary Health Record" function in the “eHealth” mobile application, which was expanded from elderly medical voucher users to all 6.3 million eHealth users in December 2025, and to streamline healthcare access across the Greater Bay Area for Hong Kong residents.

11:44 AM 

 To stabilize Hong Kong as a food trading hub and gateway, the government is actively striving for more inspections to help Hong Kong-made food break into the mainland China market.

11:44 AM

Lee proposed advancing the development of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge economic and trade corridor to consolidate Hong Kong's position as a hub for food import and export, and to facilitate the city's role as an export gateway for food enterprises from the Mainland.

11:42 AM

Lee proposed interconnecting computing power facilities within the Greater Bay Area and strengthening cooperation on 6G strategic planning.

11:39  AM

Lee said the government will continue to strive for higher living standards in the northern metropolis. The government will enhance local and cross-functional transport infrastructure connectivity.

11:38 AM

Lee announced that the government will provide over 70,000 housing units and more living space. He said economic floor space will also be increased. Lee added that living standards in the Northern Metropolis will be raised through related projects, and that average living space capacity will be greatly enhanced.

11:37 AM

Lee stated  the government will continue to increase the supply of hostel places, raise student accommodation standards, and refine the current hostel management mechanism, providing students with better housing facilities and living environments

11:34 AM

Lee said the Northern Metropolis University Town model is designed to break from Hong Kong's traditional isolated campus approach, which 19 post-secondary institutions have already expressed interest to move in.

11:32 AM

The Northern Metropolis University Town comprises 3 university towns, including the San Tin University Town, the Hung Shui Kiu University Town, and the Ta Kwu Ling University Town. Each university town will build on its respective unique strengths, and adopt the development concept of “One Town, Five Elements”. The Government plans to primarily promote the development of the Hung Shui Kiu University Town, in order to build a demonstration area.

11:31 AM

The North Metropolis anticipates the first two university campuses moving in for the 2027/28 academic year. 

11:28 AM

Hong Kong will build new university towns, while linking academic research with local industries. They will attract global talent and create more university places. This zone will serve as Hong Kong’s key platform for Greater Bay Area cooperation. The project comes from the Northern Metropolis, first announced in the 2021 Policy Address. It aims to build a new development zone in northern Hong Kong

11:27 AM

Hong Kong will consolidate its position as an international cruise hub in Asia and develop the yachting economy by expanding marina facilities, adding yacht berths, attracting superyachts, and implementing Hong Kong–Guangdong vessel convenience measures to extend multi-stop itineraries across the Greater Bay Area and beyond.

11:26 AM 

Lee announced that Hong Kong plans to boost cultural and creative industries, nurture intellectual‑property talent, develop the Xiqu Centre, West Kowloon Cultural District and, support local film and art trading.

11: 26 AM

Lee said further promotion of profound traditional Chinese culture and developing cultural content with a Hong Kong character will strengthen brand promotion, protect cultural heritage and strengthen close cooperation between the Hong Kong Palace Museum and the Palace Museum.

11:25 AM

Lee emphasised that the government will: further improve Hong Kong's arbitration system, strengthen the rule of law in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, and promote Hong Kong as a global mediation capital.

11:25 AM

Lee said that the government will build up capacity to attract talent and support talent development. He added that the government will continue to strengthen institutions to attract more talent from different regions.

Lee said Hong Kong continues to build an International hub for top-tier talent to pursue the integrated development of education, science and technology, and human resources.

11:24 AM  

Four of Hong Kong’s five binding targets focus on the environment, including cutting carbon emissions per unit of GDP, using more zero-carbon energy for power, and improving surface water quality.

11:23 AM

Lee announced the building of a medical innovation system: deepening drug and medical device regulatory reform, implementing first-level approval, and progressively establishing independent review and approval capabilities. 

11:23 AM

Lee announced that Hong Kong will fully transition into a new AI+ development phase, driving the digital and intelligent upgrading of industries, strengthening the infrastructure and, supporting small and medium-sized companies using AI.

11:22 AM

Lee said to promote traditional industries with a competitive edge, such as food processing and precision manufacturing, by consolidating the existing foundation and promoting upgrades toward high-end, smart, and green development. 

11:19 AM

John Lee said that Hong Kong will establish an international innovation and technology centre rooted in the Greater Bay Area, with nationwide reach and global connectivity, and fostering a model where enterprises are the main actors and unicorns serve as flagship brands.

11:18 AM

Lee said Hong Kong should develop cross-border electronic commerce actively and promote brands to go global. Small and medium-sized enterprises should use new technologies to build an electronic commerce supply chain.

11:18 AM

The government will establish a "one-stop" professional service platform to assist mainland Chinese enterprises as they expand their international supply chains. The initiative will provide specialized legal, financial, and management consulting services to help mainland businesses navigate global markets through Hong Kong.

11:18 AM

Lee said Hong Kong will add professional corporate services to facilitate Mainland enterprises expanding overseas in  Hong Kong.

11:16 AM

Lee announced plans to forge three trade agreements and expand Hong Kong's network of overseas offices in the Middle East, Central Asia, and China.

The expansion will include a Trade Office, a Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, as well as an Office of a Country Developmental Council to promote preferential policies guiding industrial development.

11:10 AM 

Hong Kong targets tech leaders and deeper Greater Bay Area integration to spur growth.

11:09 AM

The financial center will further upgrade and will solidify its position as the world's largest offshore RMB hub. The government emphasizes further promoting  "eight major centers" and consolidating Hong Kong's status as a leading cross-border wealth management center globally.

11:08 AM  

Lee said Hong Kong should push forward the development of the Four Centers and One Hub, which includes the International Financial Centre, International Shipping Centre, International Trade Centre, Asia-Pacific Centre for International Legal and Dispute Resolution Services and International Aviation Hub.

11:06 AM 

Lee has kicked off this year’s policy address by rolling out Hong Kong’s brand‑new five‑year development plan. Key priorities include growing the local economy, speeding up Northern Metropolis work and lifting people’s living standards.

The plan will guide city policies for the next five years. In short, it’s meant to strengthen Hong Kong’s global competitiveness while rolling out practical quality‑of‑life changes for ordinary residents.

11:03 AM

Lee announces the details of the five-year plan, reiterating his governance philosophy of combining an "active market" with a "proactive government."

11:02 AM
John Lee Ka-chiu starts announcing Hong Kong’s first five-year plan and delivering the 2026 Policy Address.