Hong Kong Chief Executive holds district consultation for five-year plan

Chief Executive John Lee led a group of senior officials to a second district consultation meeting in Kowloon Tong. The session aimed to gather public feedback for Hong Kong's first five-year plan and the 2026 Policy Address.

Citizens raised several key concerns, including youth housing affordability, the need for a more mobile "housing ladder," and high secondary school textbook costs. One district councilor urged the government to restore a $2,500 school allowance due to rising expenses. Regarding urban maintenance, an engineer proposed establishing an independent "Building Maintenance Department" to oversee old building repairs and prevent corruption, a suggestion Lee noted was "worth considering."

Other topics included the application of AI in businesses and law enforcement, supporting small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in expanding overseas, and the development of the Northern Metropolis. Lee emphasized that the government would adopt a demand-driven approach to talent recruitment and continue implementing measures to encourage birth rates.