Riding the Momentum of the “Two Sessions” and Embracing the Opening of the 15th Five-Year Plan
Acting Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs Benjamin Ho Encourages Young People to Seize Hong Kong’s Development Opportunities and Leverage Their Unique Strengths to Contribute to National Development
With the successful conclusion of the National “Two Sessions”, the country is embarking on the crucial opening year of the 15th Five-Year Plan. This marks not only an important milestone in the nation’s journey towards basically achieving socialist modernisation by 2035, but also a pivotal moment for Hong Kong to further integrate into the overall development of the country and unlock new momentum for economic growth.
To help young people better understand the opportunities of the times and keep abreast of the nation’s development, Mr Clement Woo Kin-man, Acting Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs, attended the “HKCT Distinguished Lecture” at HKCT Institute of Higher Education (“HKCT”) on 20 March 2026. Speaking to nearly 200 students and staff members, Mr Woo offered an in-depth analysis of the country’s overarching development strategy and Hong Kong’s evolving strategic positioning.
Decoding the 15th Five-Year Plan: 5W1H Framework Maps Out the Nation’s Development Blueprint
Mr Clement Woo used the “5W1H” framework, namely What, Why, Who, When, Where and How, to explain the key elements of the 15th Five-Year Plan in a clear and accessible manner. He pointed out that understanding the Plan requires looking at it in the context of the country’s “Two Centenary Goals”, with the Plan setting out key targets towards achieving the medium-term goal of basically realising socialist modernisation by 2035.
In terms of implementation, Mr Woo noted that active participation is required not only from the HKSAR Government and provinces and municipalities across the Mainland, but also from the community as a whole. Young people, in particular, should closely follow the opportunities arising from the nation’s development. Against this backdrop, the HKSAR Government is, for the first time, working on Hong Kong’s own five-year plan to proactively align the city’s development with the nation’s overarching strategies.
Focusing on the “Four Centres and One Hub” and Six Key Areas to Strengthen Hong Kong’s Role as a “Super Value-Adder”
Amid profound changes in the global landscape and the nation’s industrial upgrading, Hong Kong’s role is undergoing significant transformation during the 15th Five-Year Plan period. Mr Ho stressed that Hong Kong should fully leverage its irreplaceable international advantages and focus on strengthening the competitiveness of the “Four Centres and One Hub”, namely its positions as an international financial centre, international shipping centre, international trade centre and international innovation and technology centre, as well as a hub for international high-calibre talent.
He further shared that the HKSAR Government has initially identified six major areas for consultation and planning: finance and trade; innovation, technology and industrial upgrading; regional cooperation; land and housing and the accelerated development of the Northern Metropolis; people’s livelihood and social development; and culture, sports, tourism and green living.
Mr Woo noted that, with its unique common law system, bilingual environment in Chinese and English, and free flow of capital, Hong Kong is well positioned to evolve from its traditional role as a “super connector” that brings different parties together to become a “super value-adder” that generates tangible economic benefits.
Dialogue with Young People: Leveraging Hong Kong’s Strengths and Seizing Opportunities from National Development
During the interactive Q&A session, students enthusiastically raised questions about their personal development and Hong Kong’s future. Drawing on his own experience, Mr Clement Woo addressed their questions one by one and shared his advice on how young people could navigate the opportunities ahead.
How should we understand Hong Kong’s roles as a “super connector” and a “super value-adder”?
Mr Woo reiterated that Hong Kong should not compete with the Mainland market on price alone, but should instead build on its distinctive strengths. In the past, Hong Kong leveraged its unique position to serve as a bridge connecting different markets. Looking ahead, however, the city must evolve into a “super value-adder” by considering how it can capitalise on its strengths to both contribute to national development and reinforce its own competitive advantages, thereby creating value that is unique to Hong Kong.
How can young people participate in the 15th Five-Year Plan?
Mr Woo encouraged students to take the first step towards contributing to society by “building self-confidence”. He urged young people to observe more, think critically, and have the courage to speak up and put forward their ideas. He stressed that society greatly values the innovative thinking of young people. While government policymaking inevitably involves balancing different needs and considerations, good ideas will always have their value.
How will the nation’s industrial upgrading and technological development reshape the future job market, and how should Hong Kong’s young people equip themselves to seize the opportunities ahead?
Mr Woo advised young people to start with their passion, identify and cultivate their personal interests, while developing a thorough understanding of Hong Kong’s unique strengths and making the most of them.
Citing the maritime industry as an example, he noted that although Hong Kong’s container port is no longer the world’s busiest, the city can transform itself into a high value-added maritime services centre. At the same time, as Mainland enterprises expand into overseas markets, they can make use of Hong Kong’s common law system and professional services in areas such as contract negotiation and dispute resolution. He therefore encouraged young people to look towards these professional fields and position themselves to seize the opportunities arising from the directions set out in the 15th Five-Year Plan.
At the conclusion of the lecture, Mr Clement Woo encouraged the students, saying, “Hong Kong is an ideal place to live, pursue personal growth and build a future. Behind this are the dedicated efforts of many people working quietly to make it possible. I hope you will treasure the valuable opportunities that Hong Kong offers for your development.”
The lecture not only deepened HKCT students’ and staff members’ understanding of the broader landscape of national development, but also offered young people a clearer picture of how they can leverage their strengths and seize the vast opportunities arising from the 15th Five-Year Plan.
