By Lin Long’an, Member of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference President of the Greater Bay Area Import & Export Association

The Fifth Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China concluded on 29 October. The Session reviewed and adopted the Decision of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China on Several Major Issues Concerning the Persistent Advancement of Comprehensive and Strict Governance over the Party (hereinafter referred to as the Decision), and resolved that the 21st National Congress of the Communist Party of China will be convened in Beijing in the second half of 2027. In its affirmation of the work of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee, the communiqué of the Session noted that the 14th Five-Year Plan period has been successfully concluded and the 15th Five-Year Plan has got off to a good start. It also explicitly included work related to Hong Kong and Macao in its agenda. For Hong Kong, studying and implementing the spirit of the Fifth Plenary Session means taking the principles and requirements set forth by the Session as the yardstick to examine and advance the adherence to the “patriots administering Hong Kong” principle, fully and faithfully implement the One Country, Two Systems policy, deliver Hong Kong’s first five-year plan, integrate into the national 15th Five-Year Plan, and better serve the overall national development interests.

The Rigour of Party Governance and the Substance of Development Are Two Sides of the Same Coin

The Fifth Plenary Session centres on comprehensive and strict governance over the Party, with development as its ultimate goal. The principles laid out in the Decision prioritise fulfilling mission tasks, while upholding the central role of the Party’s political building, comprehensive strictness, a problem-oriented approach, upholding fundamentals while pursuing innovation, leading by example, and governing the Party in accordance with regulations. It sets out arrangements for strengthening Party spirit, implementing democratic centralism, fostering a competent contingent of cadres, improving conduct, enforcing discipline and combating corruption, refining the oversight system, and consolidating accountability. The Session stresses perseverance and also calls for delivering the main targets and tasks for this year’s economic and social development to secure a sound start for the 15th Five-Year Plan. It is clear that strict governance over the Party serves substantive development. A stronger contingent of cadres enables more effective delivery of development plans. This core thread defines the starting point for Hong Kong’s study of the Session’s spirit.

Upholding “Patriots Administering Hong Kong” under the Guidance of “Political Building as the Overarching Principle”

The Session places the Party’s political building in a leading position, requiring the cultivation of high-calibre cadres, emphasising leading by example, improving oversight and consolidating accountability. It also confirms sanctions against individuals who have seriously violated Party discipline and the law, sending a clear signal that greater power comes with greater responsibility and no one is above discipline. For Hong Kong, “patriots administering Hong Kong” is far more than a slogan. Its core requirement is that those governing Hong Kong must be politically reliable, professionally competent and uphold integrity.

Concrete implementation can be pursued along five dimensions. First, guided by the principle of “political building as the overarching principle”, ensure the SAR’s governing structure is consistently led by genuine patriots who are loyal to the country and accountable to Hong Kong. Second, following the requirement of “leading by example”, principal officials, Legislative Council members and District Council members must take the lead in performing their duties to eliminate delays in policy implementation. Third, in line with “consolidating accountability”, further refine the accountability system for bureau heads and performance evaluation of governance, assigning responsibilities to specific posts and measurable indicators. Fourth, to “improve the oversight system”, leverage the oversight functions of the Independent Commission Against Corruption, the Audit Commission and the Legislative Council to plug loopholes in public works and the use of public resources. Fifth, adopt a “problem-oriented approach” to squarely address pressing public concerns such as housing, healthcare, elderly care and youth development. Effective governance and clean, efficient public service constitute the most compelling proof of “patriots administering Hong Kong”.

Fully and Faithfully Implementing One Country, Two Systems

In summarising the work of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee, the communiqué addresses balancing development and security, safeguarding national security and social stability, and explicitly mentions work on Hong Kong and Macao, fully demonstrating the Central Government’s firm commitment to One Country, Two Systems. The Session’s proposition of “upholding fundamentals while pursuing innovation” is equally applicable to Hong Kong. “Upholding fundamentals” means unswervingly and faithfully preserving the core purpose of One Country, Two Systems, firmly anchoring the “One Country” principle, enforcing the Hong Kong National Security Law and the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance, and balancing development and security. “Pursuing innovation” means leveraging the advantages of “Two Systems” while upholding the fundamental premise, capitalising on Hong Kong’s unique strengths including its common law framework, free port status and extensive international connections, and identifying its strategic positioning within national initiatives.

The Session’s advocacy of “governing the Party by regulations and institutions” also underscores the importance of governing Hong Kong in accordance with the law. Law-based administration, policy implementation and oversight lay the foundation for consolidating the rule of law and Hong Kong’s international reputation. The firmer the “One Country” foundation, the greater the benefits of “Two Systems”. The country needs a stable and prosperous Hong Kong, and Hong Kong can continuously expand its development space by serving the overall national development agenda.

Delivering the First Five-Year Plan and Aligning with the National 15th Five-Year Plan

The Session ranks “fulfilling mission tasks” first among its principles, stressing that all work must centre on the core tasks of the Party and the country. For Hong Kong, the most important mission at present is to deliver its first five-year plan and proactively align with the national 15th Five-Year Plan. The first plan sets five major goals: achieving breakthroughs in economic growth, enhancing international competitiveness, accelerating development of the Northern Metropolis, improving people’s well-being, and making major progress in integrating into and serving national development. It outlines tasks around developing “four centres and one hub”: consolidating and elevating Hong Kong’s status as an international financial, shipping, aviation and trade centre, building an international innovation and technology centre, and fostering a global hub for high-end talent. Delivery of the plan should be guided by the requirements outlined at the Session.

First, maintain perseverance. The five-year plan spans a long period and carries heavy tasks. It requires consistent implementation of the blueprint, unaffected by personnel changes or external volatility. Mechanisms linking the plan with annual governance agendas, fiscal budgets and progress reports should be harnessed to set annual targets and track delivery each year.

Second, consolidate accountability. Break down tasks covering finance, shipping, innovation and technology, the Northern Metropolis and Greater Bay Area integration to respective bureaux, assign lead officers and timelines, measure outcomes by data and subject progress to public scrutiny.

Third, adhere to a problem-oriented approach to address weak areas. In finance, consolidate strengths as an offshore RMB hub and wealth management centre; in shipping, transform from a tonnage-focused port to a value-driven port; in innovation and technology, speed up development of three innovation and technology parks and five research institutions; in the Northern Metropolis, push forward three university towns in San Tin, Hung Shui Kiu and Ta Kwu Ling; for Greater Bay Area integration, advance physical connectivity, institutional connectivity and people-to-people connectivity in tandem.

Fourth, ensure annual targets are met on schedule. The Session calls for sound work at the turn of the year. The SAR Government should also ensure smooth handover between the conclusion of this year’s work and planning for the next year, to secure a strong start for the five-year plan.

Translating Learning Outcomes into Tangible Delivery

Learning the spirit of the Session lies in implementation, which can be advanced in three ways. First, lead the learning. The SAR Government and public officers should integrate the study of the Session’s spirit with delivery of the five-year plan, establish task lists and supervision mechanisms in response to the requirement of “leading by example”. Second, broaden the scope of learning. Through briefings, forums and site visits, engage the business, academic, professional and youth sectors to deepen their understanding of the Session’s spirit and opportunities under the national 15th Five-Year Plan, in response to the requirement of “fulfilling mission tasks”. Third, deliver pragmatically. CPPCC members should act as bridges, conveying views from various sectors of Hong Kong to Beijing and communicating national policy directions back to Hong Kong.

The Session’s arrangements focus on the Party’s self-reform, while also providing spiritual guidance for all sectors to strengthen self-development and governance capacity. The 21st National Congress of the Communist Party of China will be held in the second half of next year, marking a new stage of national development. Guided by the spirit of the Fifth Plenary Session, we shall uphold the principle of “patriots administering Hong Kong”, fully and faithfully implement One Country, Two Systems, steadily push forward Hong Kong’s first five-year plan, proactively integrate into the 15th Five-Year Plan, and make new contributions to building a strong country, national rejuvenation, as well as Hong Kong’s long-term prosperity and stability.