New Governance Strategies and Hong Kong's First Five-Year Development Plan

新管治策略與香港首個五年發展計劃

Jun 12, 2026, 09:13

Introduction

Chief Executive John Lee has explained the government's current approach to leadership and the faster timeline for the city's first five-year development plan.

行政長官李強解釋了政府目前的領導方式，以及該市首個五年發展計劃的加速時間表。

Main Body

The government's current strategy focuses on prioritizing the long-term interests of the general public over the needs of a few powerful groups. A clear example of this is the Northern Metropolis project, where resources are being redistributed to provide the greatest benefit for the city, even if some local groups disagree. Furthermore, the Chief Executive emphasized that the government must remain alert to potential crises to manage new challenges effectively. This proactive approach also applies to artificial intelligence; while the government encourages the use of AI in various sectors, it is also creating plans to reduce risks related to ethics, privacy, and the economy.

政府目前的策略重點在於將大眾的長期利益優先於少數權勢團體的需求。一個明顯的例子是北部都會區項目，資源正被重新分配以提供最大的城市利益，即使某些本地團體並不贊同。此外，行政長官強調政府必須對潛在危機保持警覺，以有效管理新挑戰。這種主動的方法也適用於人工智能；雖然政府鼓勵在各個部門使用 AI，但同時也在制定計劃以降低與倫理、隱私和經濟相關的風險。

At the same time, the government is speeding up the creation of its first five-year development plan. Although it was originally expected by the end of the year, the plan may now be released by the end of the third quarter. This is possible due to better cooperation between departments and support from the public and legislature. The drafting process was based on a study of planning methods used in Macao and mainland Chinese cities, such as Shanghai. The administration asserts that establishing this strategic direction early will allow future annual policy addresses to align more closely with the main plan. To ensure public agreement, a two-month consultation period has started, featuring direct involvement from the Chief Executive.

與此同時，政府正在加速制定其首個五年發展計劃。雖然原先預計在年底前完成，但該計劃現在可能在第三季度末發布。這得益於部門間更好的合作，以及公眾和立法會的支持。起草過程基於對澳門和中國內地城市（如上海）規劃方法的研習。行政當局主張，儘早確立這一戰略方向，將使未來的年度施政報告能與主計劃更緊密地接軌。為了確保公眾認同，為期兩個月的諮詢期已經開始，且行政長官將直接參與。

Conclusion

The government is currently finishing a strategic development plan while managing the social and economic changes caused by large-scale projects and new technology.

政府目前正在完成一份戰略發展計劃，同時管理由大規模項目和新技術引起的社會與經濟變化。

Vocabulary Learning

⚡ The "B2 Leap": Moving from Simple Verbs to Precise Actions

At the A2 level, you likely use words like do, make, or start. To reach B2, you need to replace these general words with Specific Professional Verbs.

Look at how the article transforms simple ideas into high-level English:

Instead of "Doing a plan" $\rightarrow$ Drafting a plan
- Why? "Drafting" specifically means writing the first version of a formal document. It shows you understand the professional process.
Instead of "Giving things again" $\rightarrow$ Redistributing resources
- Why? "Redistributing" explains how the resources are moving (from one place to many). It is a precise economic term.
Instead of "Making it faster" $\rightarrow$ Speeding up the creation
- Why? While "speed up" is a phrasal verb, using it in a formal context to describe a timeline is a key B2 skill (mixing natural idioms with professional topics).

🧩 The Logic of Connection

B2 speakers don't just write short sentences; they glue them together to show contrast. Notice this pattern in the text:

"While the government encourages the use of AI... it is also creating plans to reduce risks."

The Formula: While [Fact A], [Fact B].

This structure is a "bridge" to B2 because it allows you to balance two opposing ideas in one sentence. It is much more sophisticated than saying: "The government likes AI. But they are worried about risks."

🛠️ Vocabulary Upgrade Table

A2 Word (Basic)	B2 Alternative (from text)	Contextual Meaning
Important	Prioritizing	Deciding what is most important first
Be careful	Remain alert	Staying watchful for danger/problems
Match	Align with	Making sure two things work together
Check	Consultation	Asking for a group's opinion before deciding

Vocabulary Learning

prioritizing (v.)

Treating something as more important than other things.

Example:The company is prioritizing customer satisfaction over short-term profits.

redistributed (v.)

Shared or allocated something in a different way to achieve a fairer or more effective result.

Example:The government redistributed the funds to support rural schools.

proactive (adj.)

Taking action by causing change rather than only reacting to events.

Example:By taking a proactive approach, the team solved the problem before it became a crisis.

legislature (n.)

The group of people who have the power to make laws for a country or state.

Example:The new bill must be approved by the legislature before it becomes law.

asserts (v.)

States a fact or belief confidently and forcefully.

Example:The scientist asserts that the data proves the theory of climate change.

align (v.)

To put things into a correct or desired relationship with each other.

Example:We need to align our business goals with the needs of our clients.

consultation (n.)

A meeting or process of discussing something to seek advice or opinion.

Example:The city council held a public consultation before building the new park.

Practice B2 words in a crossword→