Sing Tao News Corporation has launched a public survey seeking views on Hong Kong’s first Five Year Plan and the 2026 Policy Address, following the announcement of both initiatives by Chief Executive John Lee Ka chiu.
The survey, titled “Satisfaction with Hong Kong’s Five Year Plan and the 2026 Policy Address”, is open until September 28 and aims to gather public responses on the government’s latest economic and policy direction.
The initiative comes as the administration moves into the final Policy Address of its current term, while the newly announced Five Year Plan sets out longer term priorities for Hong Kong. The survey gives readers an opportunity to comment on the policies they believe could have the greatest effect on the city’s economic development.
Sing Tao News Corporation said it would select responses that it considers particularly insightful and award prizes to selected participants as a way of thanking readers for taking part.
Public views sought on economic development
A central question in the survey asks respondents: “What policies do you think the government should introduce to boost economic development more effectively?”
The question invites participants to go beyond simply expressing satisfaction or dissatisfaction with the government’s plans. Respondents can instead put forward their own ideas on measures they believe could strengthen Hong Kong’s economy.
Economic development has remained a major focus for the city government as Hong Kong continues to deal with changes in the regional and global economy. Issues such as business investment, employment, innovation, trade and the development of emerging industries are closely linked to the city’s longer term economic prospects.
The survey therefore provides readers with an opportunity to comment directly on what they would like to see from government policy.
Responses may address existing government measures or propose new approaches. Participants could also use the question to identify areas where they believe additional support, investment or policy changes are needed.
Survey follows announcement of Five Year Plan
The survey was launched after Chief Executive John Lee announced Hong Kong’s first Five Year Plan.
Five Year Plans are designed to establish policy priorities over a defined period rather than focusing only on individual annual measures. For Hong Kong, the plan represents an effort to set out a longer term direction for the city while coordinating government policies across different areas.
The 2026 Policy Address, meanwhile, represents the current administration’s final policy address. That gives the document added significance because it sets out the government’s priorities during the remaining period of its term.
The two documents address different time horizons. The Policy Address focuses on the government’s immediate policy agenda, while the Five Year Plan looks further ahead.
Sing Tao’s survey places the two together and asks readers to assess their views on both.
Readers invited to share their ideas
Rather than limiting participation to a simple approval rating, the survey gives respondents an opportunity to explain what they believe the government should do to support economic growth.
That could include suggestions relating to businesses, investment, technology, infrastructure, employment or other areas of economic policy. The open ended nature of the question also allows participants to raise issues that may not be covered by standard multiple choice surveys.
For a city whose economy is closely connected to international trade and investment, public views on economic policy can cover a wide range of concerns. Businesses may focus on operating costs and access to markets, while workers may place greater emphasis on employment opportunities, wages and career prospects. Younger residents may also have different priorities involving technology, entrepreneurship and new industries.
The survey does not suggest that all respondents will share the same assessment. Instead, it gives readers a platform to put forward their own views and recommendations.
Prizes offered to selected respondents
Sing Tao News Corporation is also offering prizes to selected participants.
The editorial team will choose what it describes as the most insightful responses to the question about policies that could help boost economic development more effectively.
Five grand prize winners will each receive dinner vouchers for two people for The Grand Buffet in Hong Kong, with each prize package valued at HK$2,000.
The prize element is intended to encourage readers to take part and provide considered responses rather than simply submit a brief reaction.
Participants who want their responses to stand out may therefore wish to focus on specific policies or practical proposals. Suggestions that explain both the problem and how a proposed measure could address it can provide more useful material for public discussion than general statements about the economy.
Survey remains open until September 28
The survey will remain open until September 28, giving Hong Kong residents and other readers time to consider the government's Five Year Plan and 2026 Policy Address before submitting their views.
The timing allows the public discussion to take place soon after the two major policy announcements. Responses will also give Sing Tao readers a way to raise economic issues they believe deserve greater attention.
For the government, public reaction to policy announcements can provide an indication of which issues are attracting attention among residents and businesses. For readers, the survey provides an opportunity to state what they would like to see from the administration during the next stage of Hong Kong’s economic development.
The survey’s most open ended question is also the one that could produce the widest range of answers: what policies should the government introduce to make economic development more effective?
Readers can use that opportunity to put forward specific proposals, identify areas where existing measures could be improved and explain which economic issues they believe should receive greater attention.
With submissions open until September 28, what policy would you ask the Hong Kong government to introduce to strengthen economic development?