Chief Executive John Lee, in his New Year message on Wednesday, described 2025 as challenging but showing Hong Kong's resilience and pledged to focus on improving livelihoods and boosting tech-driven growth in 2026.
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Lee said the city experienced robust economic recovery momentum but also shared the grief of the Wang Fuk Court fire in Tai Po. The government integrated "reform and momentum" into economic development and people's livelihoods, achieving hard-won results.
Economically, the Hong Kong-Shenzhen Innovation and Technology Park opened, boosting Hong Kong's tech hub status. The stock market performed well, tourism recovered, and Kai Tak Sports Park and East Kowloon Cultural Centre launched. The "Southbound Travel for Guangdong Vehicles" policy attracted high-end tourists.
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In livelihood areas, about 9,500 light public housing units were completed, public housing waiting time fell to 5.1 years, nine community living rooms now support grassroots families, the first Chinese medicine hospital opened and ride-hailing regulations were passed.
For 2026, Lee said the government will focus on improving welfare – speeding up public housing, implementing a "simple housing" registration system to curb substandard subdivided units, optimizing healthcare and education, expanding elderly healthcare vouchers and creating more youth opportunities.
The second focus is strengthening innovation and technology, aligning with the national 16th five-year plan, accelerating the Northern Metropolis, deepening the Hetao cooperation zone, developing core areas like tech and low-altitude economy, empowering industries with artificial intelligence, and hosting international meetings like the APEC finance ministers' meeting to raise Hong Kong's global profile.
Lee said Hong Kong showed resilience and vitality last year, and the government will continue to deliver results for all citizens.
