Hong Kong Officials Meet Beijing Counterparts to Discuss Alignment with China's 15th Five-Year Plan

Hong Kong officials met with Xia Baolong, director of the State Council’s Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office (HKMAO), on Thursday in Beijing to discuss alignment with China’s national 15th five-year plan. The talks included Chief Secretary Eric Chan Kwok-ki, Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po, and Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs Janice Tse Siu-wa, who is newly appointed to her role.

The meeting was joined by HKMAO executive deputy director Xu Qifang and deputy head Zhang Dongmei, the first woman to hold the deputy head position since the office’s status was elevated in 2023.

Photos from the meeting showed a closed-door session and a group photo at the Great Hall of the People. The three Hong Kong officials began their two-day visit to Beijing on Wednesday. The Hong Kong government issued a statement late Thursday about the meeting but did not disclose any details.

The talks focused on coordinating Hong Kong’s development with the national plan, which guides mainland China’s development from 2026 to 2030. Hong Kong is preparing to draft its own inaugural development blueprint by the end of 2026, reflecting the priorities set out in the national plan.

The discussions in Beijing are part of the coordination process between Hong Kong and the central government on long-term development strategies.