Chief Executive John Lee Advocates for Media Alignment with National Strategic Narratives

行政長官李家超倡導媒體與國家戰略論述保持一致

May 15, 2026, 09:57

Introduction

Chief Executive John Lee has called upon Hong Kong's media practitioners to support the city's and mainland China's development through the dissemination of positive narratives.

行政長官李家超呼籲香港媒體從業人員透過傳播正面論述，支持香港與中國內地的發展。

Main Body

During the annual Hong Kong News Awards, Chief Executive John Lee articulated a requirement for media professionals to transcend the role of passive observers, suggesting that the sector should actively facilitate national progress. This directive is situated within the context of prevailing geopolitical volatility, where the administration posits that the prioritization of national and municipal interests is paramount. Lee invoked the 'Three Deeds to Immortality' philosophy to emphasize the necessity of virtue and contribution within the journalistic profession.

在年度香港新聞獎頒獎典禮上，行政長官李家超明確要求媒體專業人士超越被動觀察者的角色，建議該行業應積極促進國家進步。此指令是在當前地緣政治動盪的背景下提出的，政府認為優先考慮國家與城市利益至關重要。李家超引用「三不朽」的理念，強調新聞專業中品德與貢獻的必要性。

Furthermore, the Chief Executive highlighted the synchronization of Hong Kong's inaugural five-year blueprint with the 15th Five-Year Plan of the People's Republic of China (2026–2030). A primary objective of this national framework is the acceleration of a 'Chinese narrative system' to optimize the state's global image. Consequently, the administration views the media as a critical instrument for illustrating the advantages and developmental facts of the region to both domestic and international audiences.

此外，行政長官強調香港首個五年藍圖與中華人民共和國第十五個五年計劃（2026-2030年）同步。該國家框架的一個主要目標是加速建立「中國敘事體系」，以優化國家的全球形象。因此，政府將媒體視為向國內外受眾展示該地區優勢與發展事實的關鍵工具。

Regarding professional standards, Lee asserted that the influence inherent in journalism necessitates a corresponding commitment to impartiality and the avoidance of personal gain. While the administration emphasizes the utility of high-quality reporting in gauging public sentiment, these directives emerge amidst a documented decline in international press freedom indices. This decline is attributed by external watchdogs to the implementation of security laws in 2020 and 2024, resulting in the incarceration of journalists and the cessation of operations for several media entities.

關於專業標準，李家超主張新聞業固有的影響力要求其必須對公正做出相應承諾，並避免個人獲利。雖然政府強調高質量報導在衡量公眾情緒方面的效用，但這些指令是在國際新聞自由指數記錄下降的背景下提出的。外部監察機構將此下降歸因於2020年和2024年實施的安全法，導致記者被監禁以及數家媒體實體停止營運。

Conclusion

The Hong Kong government is currently seeking to integrate local media output with national strategic goals to enhance the region's global standing.

香港政府目前正尋求將本地媒體產出與國家戰略目標整合，以提升該地區的全球地位。

Vocabulary Learning

The Architecture of 'Institutional Euphemism' and Nominalization

To transition from B2 to C2, a student must move beyond describing events to framing them through high-level lexical choices. This text is a masterclass in Institutional Euphemism—the art of using sterile, Latinate vocabulary to describe high-stakes political actions.

◈ The 'Sterilization' Mechanism

Observe how the text avoids emotive or accusatory verbs, replacing them with nominalized constructions and 'professional' verbs. This is the hallmark of diplomatic and academic writing at the C2 level.

Passive Observation $\rightarrow$ Active Facilitation: Instead of saying "the government wants journalists to help," the text uses "transcend the role of passive observers" and "actively facilitate national progress."
Control $\rightarrow$ Synchronization: The phrase "synchronization of Hong Kong's inaugural five-year blueprint" transforms a political mandate into a technical, administrative alignment.
Propaganda $\rightarrow$ Narrative System: Note the shift from the loaded term 'propaganda' to the sterile "Chinese narrative system" and "optimizing the state's global image."

◈ Linguistic Analysis: The 'Weight' of Nominalization

B2 students rely on verbs (The government wants to optimize the image). C2 mastery requires the use of heavy noun phrases to create a sense of objectivity and inevitability.

Example: "the implementation of security laws... resulting in the incarceration of journalists"

By using implementation and incarceration (nouns) rather than implementing and imprisoning (verbs), the author detaches the action from the actor, creating a formal, distanced tone known as de-agentivization. This allows the writer to report gravity without adopting the emotional urgency of the subject.

◈ C2 Lexical Bridge: The 'Power' Verbs

Analyze these specific choices for your own academic writing:

B2 Equivalent	C2 Sophistication	Contextual Nuance
Explain / Say	Articulate	Implies a clear, structured, and intentional expression.
Important	Paramount	Suggests a hierarchy where this is the absolute highest priority.
Use	Instrument	Reifies the media, treating it as a tool for a specific strategic end.
Link	Sychronization	Suggests a precise, timed alignment of two complex systems.

Vocabulary Learning

advocate (v.)

to publicly support or recommend a cause or policy

Example:She advocated for stricter environmental regulations.

alignment (n.)

the state of being in agreement or harmony with something

Example:The alignment of the company's goals with its values was evident.

dissemination (n.)

the act of distributing information widely

Example:The rapid dissemination of the news captured global attention.

transcend (v.)

to rise above or go beyond limits

Example:Her performance transcended expectations.

geopolitical (adj.)

relating to the influence of geography on politics

Example:Geopolitical tensions often affect trade agreements.

posits (v.)

to put forward as a proposition or hypothesis

Example:The author posits that climate change is accelerating.

prioritization (n.)

the process of arranging tasks by importance

Example:Effective prioritization ensures deadlines are met.

paramount (adj.)

of supreme importance or priority

Example:Safety is paramount in construction sites.

invoked (v.)

to call upon or summon, especially in a formal sense

Example:He invoked the law to justify his decision.

philosophy (n.)

a set of beliefs or principles guiding actions

Example:Her philosophy of life emphasizes compassion.

virtue (n.)

a moral excellence or commendable quality

Example:Patience is a virtue that aids in conflict resolution.

contribution (n.)

an act of giving or adding to something

Example:Her contribution to the project was invaluable.

synchronization (n.)

the action of aligning events to occur simultaneously

Example:Synchronization of the orchestra produced a harmonious sound.

blueprint (n.)

a detailed plan or outline for execution

Example:The blueprint for the new bridge was approved.

acceleration (n.)

the act of speeding up or increasing rate

Example:Acceleration of the economy was evident in GDP growth.

optimize (v.)

to make the best or most effective use of something

Example:We optimized the website for faster loading.

instrument (n.)

a tool or means used to achieve a purpose

Example:The microscope is an instrument for observing cells.

illustration (n.)

a visual or verbal example that clarifies a concept

Example:The illustration helped explain the theory.

developmental (adj.)

relating to growth or maturation

Example:Developmental stages are critical in child psychology.

sentiment (n.)

a general feeling or attitude toward something

Example:Public sentiment shifted after the announcement.

decline (n.)

a decrease or reduction in quantity or quality

Example:There was a decline in sales during winter.

watchdog (n.)

an organization that monitors or oversees activities

Example:The watchdog agency investigated the corruption.

incarceration (n.)

the state of being imprisoned

Example:Incarceration rates have risen in the region.

cessation (n.)

the act of stopping or ending something

Example:The cessation of hostilities was celebrated.

integrate (v.)

to combine or merge into a single entity

Example:They integrated the new software into the system.

enhance (v.)

to improve or increase the quality or value

Example:The new features enhance user experience.

Practice C2 words in a crossword→