Hong Kong has begun consulting economic and innovation leaders as it prepares its first local five-year plan. Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu met members of the Council of Advisers during a series of lunches held over the past three days, according to the South China Morning Post, the only available source. The meetings focused on the city’s strategic direction for the coming years.

Speaking on Thursday after the meetings, Lee identified external competition and accelerating technological change as the main challenges Hong Kong will need to address. He argued that the city must adopt a long-term perspective and develop more comprehensive strategies for sectors considered central to its growth. The source, however, reported no finalized measures or quantitative targets.

The discussions centered on three themes: economic advancement and sustainability, innovation and entrepreneurship, and regional and global collaboration. The South China Morning Post did not specify what proposals were presented in each area or whether the council had already issued recommendations for inclusion in the plan. It also provided no details about the document’s drafting timetable or subsequent institutional steps.

Lee said the advisers were confident that Hong Kong could continue performing what the administration describes as its roles as a “super connector” and a provider of added value. These terms refer to the city’s position in external economic networks, but the source did not link them to any new programs, funding commitments or implementation tools discussed during the meetings.

Two new council members were among the participants. The first was Sun Piaoyang, chairman of Jiangsu Hengrui Pharmaceuticals, described by the source as China’s largest pharmaceutical company. The second was Xu Tao, chief executive of StarFive Semiconductor Technology. Their participation brings expertise from two industries affected by technological change: pharmaceuticals and semiconductors.

The new advisers are joining the group as the administration seeks guidance on Hong Kong’s future development priorities. The South China Morning Post reported that one participant said the caliber of the discussion had been inspiring, but the available material neither identified the person nor elaborated on the remarks. The assessment therefore cannot be attributed to a specific member or connected to a particular proposal.

Lee established the Council of Advisers in 2023, following the pandemic, to gather input from business leaders on the city’s broad development objectives. This week’s meetings continue that consultation, now as part of work on the five-year plan. The source did not specify what formal role the council will have in drafting the document or whether its recommendations will be binding.

Preparing the plan moves the discussion beyond individual sector policies toward a multiyear framework. In the reported statements, Lee linked this need to the importance of systematically addressing both international competitive pressure and the pace of technological change. No priority sectors, performance indicators or agencies responsible for implementing the measures were identified.

The relationship among the three areas under discussion also remains undefined. Sustainable economic development, innovative entrepreneurship, and cooperation with regional and global partners were presented as the main pillars of the consultation, without a publicly stated ranking of priorities. The source reported no disagreements among advisers and did not clarify whether they considered alternatives, objections or differing views about what should be included in the final document.

The next steps will depend on decisions by Hong Kong’s executive authorities and on converting the consultations into measurable objectives. The plan’s structure, expected presentation date, associated resources and the Council of Advisers’ practical contribution remain unknown. Further announcements will also need to explain how input from the pharmaceutical, technology and business sectors will be incorporated into the five-year strategy.