Hong Kong’s first five-year plan will place national security alongside economic development, reflecting Beijing’s view that the two priorities are increasingly inseparable as the city seeks a bigger role in China’s national growth strategy.
Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu is expected to unveil the five-year plan on Sept 16. A full chapter will focus on national security, according to people familiar with the government’s preparations, with safeguards expected in areas including finance and technology.
The approach reflects a broader shift in how Hong Kong’s authorities define national security. Rather than limiting it to law enforcement and political stability, officials increasingly view security as a framework for protecting the city’s economic interests, technology infrastructure and international connections from geopolitical risks.
Experts say Hong Kong’s openness is both an advantage and a vulnerability. Its position as an international financial and business hub allows it to attract capital, talent and technology, but the same openness can expose the city to external risks. Strengthening security systems could therefore be important in maintaining Beijing’s confidence while preserving Hong Kong’s global role.
Technology is expected to be one of the key areas where the balance between openness and security will be tested. The city hopes to strengthen its position as a technology hub, including through closer cooperation with Shenzhen and development of the Hong Kong-Shenzhen Innovation and Technology Park. Experts have said stronger safeguards for cross-border data transfers will be crucial to that effort.
Finance is another major area of concern. Hong Kong remains an important international financial centre and a gateway between China and global markets. Authorities therefore face the challenge of protecting the financial system from geopolitical pressures while ensuring that tighter security measures do not undermine the openness that has helped make the city competitive.
The plan comes after years of political and legal changes in Hong Kong, including the introduction of the national security law in 2020. Authorities have argued that restoring stability is necessary for economic development, while critics have raised concerns about the impact of the security environment on the city’s freedoms and international reputation.
Hong Kong’s first five-year plan is also designed to align the city more closely with China’s 15th Five-Year Plan for 2026 to 2030. The government has said the blueprint will provide long-term direction for areas including economic development, infrastructure, technology and residents’ livelihoods.
For Lee’s administration, one of the biggest challenges will be convincing Beijing that Hong Kong can remain internationally connected while also protecting national interests. At the same time, the city must reassure businesses and investors that security measures will support rather than weaken its role as a global commercial centre.
The five-year plan will therefore be more than an economic roadmap. It will also be a statement about how Hong Kong intends to balance its international character with Beijing’s growing expectations on national security, technology and economic integration.
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