Strive for economic growth and development

1.Strengthening Hong Kong's Status as an International Financial Centre

Enhance Market Attractiveness

• Promote the sound and prudent development of stablecoins in Hong Kong while exploring diverse application scenarios.

• Advocate to the Central Government for further internationalization of the RMB, including adjusting dividend income tax policies for mainland individual investors using Shanghai-Hong Kong Stock Connect and Shenzhen-Hong Kong Stock Connect, lowering asset thresholds for Southbound investors, and advancing the cross-listing of ETF schemes.

• Optimize listing requirements for weighted voting rights companies by revising market capitalization and revenue thresholds—for instance, reducing the HK$40 billion requirement to HK$20 billion for enterprises listed on recognized overseas exchanges, and adopting more flexible metrics such as three-year average or peak market capitalization.

• Allow overseas companies pursuing dual-primary listings in Hong Kong to submit draft prospectuses confidentially upon fulfilling relevant requirements.

• Advocate for the Central Government to extend streamlined listing procedures to more mainland enterprises from beyond the GBA, enabling them to list in Hong Kong and simultaneously on Shanghai or Shenzhen exchanges, amplifying the synergistic brand effect of A+H shares.

  
  

Develop FinTech Web 3.0

• Accelerate the development of blockchain-based digital identity infrastructure and its practical applications.

• Enhance Hong Kong’s regulatory framework for Web 3.0 and crypto-digital assets to safeguard investor interests.

Advance Professional Accounting Services

• Broaden the scope of the “Immigration Arrangements for Non-local Graduates” to include accounting programmes offered by more Mainland and Macau universities that are accredited by the Hong Kong Institute of Certified Public Accountants.

• Advocate to the Central Government for the introduction of a GBA accounting licence and the establishment of a dedicated qualification examination for Hong Kong and Macau accountants.

2.Strengthening Hong Kong's Status as an International Trade Centre

Promote Mutual Recognition and Connectivity in E-commerce

• Appoint an E-commerce Development Commissioner to liaise with Mainland authorities and facilitate market access for Hong Kong products.

• Establish dedicated "Hong Kong Warehouses" in existing bonded warehouses in the GBA to lower distribution costs for SMEs entering the domestic market.

• Advocate to the Central Government for expanding the List of Cross-border Electronic Commerce Retail Imported Commodities to include more Hong Kong-certified intellectual property products, diversifying cross-border offerings and enhancing brand synergy.

• Drive mutual recognition of e-commerce regulatory standards between Hong Kong and the GBA, piloting integrated customs clearance for "Hong Kong warehousing + GBA sorting" to accelerate logistics for Southeast Asian markets.

Build a Cross-border E-commerce Supply Chain Hub

• Collaborate with GBA technology firms to develop integrated systems for intelligent product selection, cross-border payment settlement, and logistics tracking.

• Partner with manufacturing bases in Dongguan, Huizhou, and other GBA cities to establish a "Hong Kong design + GBA manufacturing + Global e-commerce distribution" model, supporting industries like jewelry and watchmaking in showcasing craftsmanship via cross-border livestreams, enabling "online ordering and domestic shipping."

• Host the inaugural "Global Cross-border E-commerce Expo" featuring dedicated zones for Hong Kong brands, GBA supply chains, and international matchmaking to attract global platforms and buyers from ASEAN and the Middle East, boosting Hong Kong's e-commerce trade volume.

Promote National Liquor Trade

• Actively advance the national liquor trade by encouraging cross-promotional activities at international exhibitions and major events held in Hong Kong, expanding opportunity for brand exposure.

Support SMEs

• To encourage increased bank lending to SMEs (particularly offshore RMB loans), it is suggested that the government collaborate with the HKMA to introduce appropriate relaxations to bank risk management requirements. This would encourage banks to allocate dedicated lending quotas for SMEs, especially innovation and technology-focused enterprises and, if necessary, the HKMA could inject liquidity to expand the offshore RMB pool and enhance banks' lending capacity.

• Enhance Hong Kong's economic and trade ties with relevant regions by regularly organizing themed overseas inspection tours for SMEs, focusing on sectors such as halal food, electronics, or tech products. This enables SMEs to efficiently access ASEAN and Middle Eastern markets with official support, increasing their success rate in market entry.

3.Strengthening Hong Kong's Position as an International Shipping Center

Advance the Development of High-Value Global Shipping Hub

• Encourage universities to introduce legal programmes specializing in maritime law.

• Position Hong Kong as a hub for marine insurance and reinsurance services for Chinese fleets, supporting Mainland shipping industries in enhancing risk management and global competitiveness.

Green Shipping

• Establish a "Carbon Footprint Verification and Certification Centre for Green Shipping" in Hong Kong, developing carbon verification into a high value-added industry.

• Explore the creation of green shipping corridors with other regions to provide vessels with prioritized services for faster operations and berthing.

Enhance HK's Logistics Competitiveness

• Promote the establishment of a "Guangdong-Hong Kong Cold Chain Data Sharing Platform" to integrate Hong Kong's international trade data with Guangdong's production-side traceability information.

• Implement a "bonded warehouse + Hong Kong transit" logistics model in target markets to reduce cross-border logistics costs for enterprises.

4.International Aviation Hub

• Expand open skies agreements to attract more transit passengers through streamlined transfers and enhanced airport services.

• Accelerate aviation pacts with Belt and Road countries such as those in Central Asia, extending fifth-freedom rights and cargo quotas to establish regular flight services.

• Increase subsidies for long-haul routes, including landing fee waivers and fuel support, with additional cargo incentives for high-potential markets like India and the Middle East.

• Explore co-location clearance at SkyPier and the Business Aviation Centre, extending operating hours and ferry frequency.

• Develop integrated multimodal transport, promoting combined air-rail ticketing for flexible airport access and air-railway inter-modal products.

5.International Innovation and Technology Centre

Building an AI and Innovation Ecosystem

• Enhance incentives for corporate R&D investment through group-based tax benefits, relaxed deductions for R&D expenses, optimized cross-border funding mechanisms in the Greater Bay Area, and expanded "patent box" tax incentives to cover the Hetao Cooperation Zone and Qianhai Shenzhen-Hong Kong Modern Service Industry Cooperation Zone.

• Develop an innovation-themed convention centre in the Northern Metropolis with exhibition platforms for new energy vehicles and robotics, fostering industrial clustering and hosting major international esports events.

• Leverage Hong Kong's strengths in fundamental research to advance new computing frameworks and core AI algorithms, exploring joint laboratories with mainland GBA cities for key AI chip projects.

• Establish an "AI Application Scenarios Testing Zone" to demonstrate AI use in finance, healthcare, and urban management, serving as a demonstration site for applications.

• Attract global AI scientists, engineers, and industrial talent through Hong Kong's international environment and recruitment policies.

• Utilize Hong Kong's global trade network to promote GBA AI products and smart manufacturing equipment in Belt and Road and European/American markets.

Develop Biotechnology and Healthcare Innovation Industries

• Advocate for establishing the GBA's third national laboratory in the Hetao Zone, focusing on biomedical research to attract world-leading scientific teams.

• Promote the creation of an international blood products center in the Hetao Zone through Hong Kong-Mainland collaboration, reducing import dependency and enhancing production technology.

• Introduce tax incentives, rental concessions, and talent policies to attract global pharmaceutical and biotech companies to establish regional R&D headquarters in Hong Kong.

• Streamline the use of Hong Kong clinical trial data for medical product registration in the Mainland, pursuing eventual direct recognition by mainland regulators.

• Leverage the " Measure of using HK registered drugs and medical devices used in HK public hospitals in Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area" to accelerate mainland market entry for advanced Hong Kong-developed pharmaceuticals and devices.

6. Regional Intellectual Property Trading Centre

• Establish a biotechnology IP trading platform as an initial focus area.

• Facilitate information sharing and priority examination channels between Hong Kong's Intellectual Property Department and the National Intellectual Property Administration.

• Explore a "Greater Bay Area Patent Mutual Recognition Pilot" to validate Hong Kong-registered patents in mainland China, fostering the development of innovative technology enterprises.

• Develop an international cultural and creative IP exchange center with comprehensive supporting services across the value chain such as warehousing, authentication, logistics, custody, settlement, incubation, and promotion, promoting the development of a cultural and creative property exchange through a "cultural and creative + finance" model.

7. International Arts and Cultural Exchange Centre

• Attract international galleries, auction houses, and art exhibitions to establish presence in Hong Kong, strengthening the city's global art market position.

• Expedite establishment of criteria and recognition mechanisms for Hong Kong's intangible cultural heritage practitioners, with regular funding and training programs.

• Provide targeted support for arts groups and expand access to distinctive performance venues.

8. Asia-Pacific International Legal and Dispute Resolution Services Centre

• Enhance maritime arbitration services in the GBA by streamlining procedures through legislative amendments.

• Amend the Arbitration Ordinance to authorize more qualified institutions to appoint arbitrators when parties cannot agree, expanding options and attracting more Hong Kong institutions to participate, reinforcing Hong Kong's position as an arbitration hub.

• Strengthen support for local arbitration institutions to participate in mainland's foreign-related arbitration work following NPCSC's Arbitration Law revisions.

9. Creating an International Hub for High-End Talent

Enhance Talent Attraction Policies

• Refine various talent admission schemes to strategically attract top professionals aligned with Hong Kong's future development goals and current talent shortage areas.

• Propose the creation of a dedicated "Top Talent Pass Scheme" fund with a cap of US$10-20 billion, facilitating property acquisition for eligible professionals through a closed-loop mechanism.

Develop global Education Hub

• Coordinate joint overseas student recruitment drives by universities and tertiary institutions to attract global students, particularly from Belt and Road and East Asian regions.

• Encourage more internationally renowned educational institutions to establish campuses in Hong Kong and increase international school placements.

• Promote collaboration between local higher education institutions and overseas counterparts to offer mutually recognized distance learning programs for international students in Hong Kong.

• Secure recognition of local qualifications framework by overseas countries, especially ASEAN and Belt and Road nations, enhancing incentives for international students to study in Hong Kong.

• Explore measures to facilitate participation of international students in local and mainland exchange activities held in Hong Kong, including pursuing visa-waiver arrangements for international students.

10 . Accelerating the Development of the Northern Metropolis

• Urge expedited enactment of specialized legislation to accelerate the Northern Metropolis development, streamlining approval processes across all project types.

• Enhance the staffing and mandate of the Northern Metropolis Co-ordination Office with professionals in I&T, economic development, and cultural tourism.

• Implement diversified land development models, including "strategic land reserve" and "dynamic planning," to enable flexible land allocation.

• Increase planning flexibility in tenders for the three core areas, allowing layout modifications and site consolidation to capitalize on market interest and translate developer intent into actionable projects.

• Advance the Northern Link in alignment with the "Development Outline for Hong Kong Park of Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Co-operation Zone" and Shenzhen's planning, including station openings (San Tin, Kwu Tung, and the Huanggang Spur) targeting 2030/2031 operation to align with the Northern Metropolis development timeline.

• Optimize the east-west road network of the Northern Metropolis, including the Northern Metropolis Highway link to Hung Shui Kiu.

• Actively promote the development of the Northern Metropolis University Town by integrating and expanding the Hung Shui Kiu/Ha Tsuen development plan to increase the university town area to 48 hectares, prioritizing the project to advance the integration of "academia, research, industry, and living."

11. Diversified Economy

Promote Sustainable Development of the Low-Altitude Economy

Advancing Regulatory Sandbox and Related Measures

• Implement follow-up measures for the low-altitude economy regulatory sandbox, including promptly publishing eligible business models and participating departments.

• Establish clear rules and procedures for formal commercial operations of low-altitude economy applications across industries.

• Extend financial support by expanding the Smart Traffic Fund to cover low-altitude projects and facilitating industry matching funds.

• Expedite the development of low-altitude tourism routes and pilot projects leveraging Hong Kong's scenic landscapes and coastal resources.

Enhancing Infrastructure

• Explore building a general aviation airport and logistics transport landing sites in the Northern Metropolis for low-altitude aircraft.

• Plan and provide land and policy support to encourage industry to build drone facilities for parking, charging, maintenance, and customer service, while promoting open sharing of these resources.

Low-Altitude Regulation & Urban Governance

• Establish a Central Low-Altitude Urban Governance Platform and an AI-Integrated Drone Management System for inter-departmental data sharing.

• Publish a government demand catalogue for drone applications and low-altitude economic development, promoting public-private collaboration to pilot new applicable scenarios.

• Develop a Unified Traffic Management Platform for unmanned aircraft systems to coordinate, monitor, and manage operations.

• Enhance public engagement and transparency through digital tools displaying real-time airspace usage and open feedback channels.

Cross-border Route Planning

• Actively negotiate with Mainland and Macau authorities to establish low-altitude cross-border routes and explore joint customs clearance arrangements.

• Integrate Hong Kong International Airport's high-altitude cargo operations with the emerging Greater Bay Area low-altitude logistics network, using medium-sized drones with cold chain capacity for high-value, urgent shipments to enable same-day market delivery and expand opportunities in catering and premium food sectors.

Developing the New Energy Industry

• Establish a dedicated New Energy Development Fund and introduce tax incentives to build a comprehensive new energy industrial chain.

• Collaborate with Greater Bay Area cities to create a green, low-carbon development zone and promote green methanol production using wind, solar, and waste-to-energy sources.

• Explore improved district cooling systems in new development areas.

• Streamline regulatory processes for EV charging facilities and offer tax incentives to expand charging infrastructure.

• Develop a citywide charging station plan, optimize distribution, and utilize rural land for large-scale charging hubs.

• Establish a Greater Bay Area lithium battery industry alliance to drive technological upgrades and improve rare earth resource recycling.

• Accelerate the implementation of EV battery producer responsibility schemes and promote green research for secondary battery applications.

• Enhance policy support for charging point installation, including inter-departmental coordination and land premium reductions, to complete Hong Kong's fast-charging network.

Tourism Development

• Enhance unlisted WWII historical sites by adding memorial structures and plaques.

• Upgrade museum facilities with multisensory technology to deepen historical engagement.

• Train specialized guides in Hong Kong's wartime history.

• Strengthen promotion of hiking trail tourism.

• Develop joint geo-park itineraries with mainland partners to form an international alliance.

• Host nature-based events like cross-country running, sailing and dragon boat races.

• Integrate urban farms and agricultural tourism into development planning.

• Create Muslim-friendly travel products and routes.

• Seek expanded Individual Visit Scheme cities while considering capacity.

• Pursue UNESCO Creative City designations in gastronomy or film.

Chinese Medicine Industry

• Build a global GBA Chinese medicine industrial system integrating production, education, research, funding, and sales, establishing a project for new drugs and investor network.

• Develop a high-standard GMP production zone in the Northern Metropolis to attract global research institutions and manufacturers.

• Seek central government support to establish a GBA Chinese medicine quality certification system in Hong Kong.

• Host major international Chinese medicine summits and exhibitions to connect mainland and global markets.

• Promote TCM experiences through wellness centers, cultural displays, athlete services during sports events, and themed cultural tours.

Advance High-Quality Fisheries and Agriculture Development

• Provide interest-free transitional loans to eligible farmers affected by land resumption, enabling early investment in multi-storey farming to facilitate transition before compensation disbursement.

• Review existing policies to integrate tourism fisheries, recreational angling, fishing experiences, fish markets, and seafood processing to foster marine ranching development.

• Pilot "integrated recreational fisheries complexes" in typhoon shelter areas, collaborating with local travel agencies and restaurants to design specialized marine tourism routes.

• Promote mutual recognition of certification standards between Guangdong and Hong Kong, providing testing services for agricultural products meeting export standards under the "one test, two clearance" framework.

• Leverage Hong Kong's international market position to offer integrated services—from exhibitions and packaging to sales—helping mainland agricultural products access global markets and facilitating imports of premium foreign produce.

Sports Industry

• Promote sports development through five key policy objectives: by promoting sports in the community, supporting elite sports, maintaining Hong Kong as a centre for major international sports events, enhancing professionalism, and developing sports as an industry to enhance international image and drive economic growth.

• Accelerate establishment of the Kai Tak Sports Park Advisory Committee for long-term operational and marketing planning, improving event scheduling, public promotion, and ticketing to develop "host city economy" and "support economy."

• Conduct needs assessments and develop training strategies for elite athletes, coaches, referees, sports management and technology professionals; expand programs to help retired athletes transition into coaching, administration, or sports technology roles.

• Relaunch the "Esports Internship Scheme" and "Esports Industry Facilitation Scheme" funding to cultivate local esports talent and support related sports events and competitions.

12. Leveraging Technology and Digitalization

Build a Tech-Enabled Smart City

• Promote AI adoption across departments, particularly in public security, smart customs, immigration, corrections, and anti-fraud applications.

• Enhance the Spatial Data Sharing Platform by expanding data sources and broadening the Geospatial Lab's services to encourage commercial use.

• Utilize innovative technologies—including BIM, GIS, IoT, big data, MiC, and green building methods—to accelerate construction timelines and improve site safety.

• Expand the application of the Civil Engineering and Development Department's Joint Operation Platform beyond emergency response to major events and large-scale activities.

• Coordinate telecom operators to deploy 5G base stations ensuring coverage of tourist hotspots and crowded areas, supplemented by free high-speed public Wi-Fi.

Develop GBA Digital Infrastructure

• Enhance cross-border cooperation on integrated cable networks and computing power, offering subsidies and preferential policies to encourage digital infrastructure development.

• Accelerate interoperability between "iAM Smart" and Guangdong's government service platform, enabling Hong Kong residents to handle Mainland affairs.

• Launch a Global Legal Entity Identifier (LEI) sandbox for GBA financial institutions to build sustainable smart city clusters.