As China prepares to launch its 15th Five-Year Plan in 2026, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region's Legislative Council (LegCo) is stepping up to support national development and security goals. With the 14th Five-Year Plan concluding this year, LegCo's role in shaping the next phase is more critical than ever.
Setting a security-development balance
In April 2025, President Xi Jinping chaired a symposium in Shanghai, urging a forward-looking approach that coordinates development and security. He highlighted the need to improve the national security system and enhance the capacity to safeguard national interests amid global uncertainties.
Building on the Law of the People's Republic of China on Safeguarding National Security in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (promulgated in June 2020), LegCo and the HKSAR government have enacted local legislation under Article 23 of the Basic Law. After thorough debate, LegCo members passed the Safeguarding National Security Bill in March 2024, laying a legal foundation for long-term stability.
Strengthening legal frameworks
This year, LegCo completed scrutiny of two pieces of subsidiary legislation under the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance, clarifying the Office for Safeguarding National Security's mandate and designating its premises as prohibited places. The council also approved the Protection of Critical Infrastructures (Computer Systems) Bill to boost cybersecurity and protect Hong Kong's digital infrastructure.
Driving economic competitiveness
These security measures create a stable environment for business. According to the World Competitiveness Yearbook 2025 by the International Institute for Management Development, Hong Kong ranks third globally, up two places from last year. In 2024, nearly 10,000 companies with overseas or mainland parent companies were based in Hong Kong, a 10 percent increase that underscores investor confidence in the city's future.
As the world watches China outline its vision for 2026–2030, LegCo's active role in national planning and local legislation will be pivotal in turning challenges into opportunities for the HKSAR and beyond. What do you think this means for Hong Kong's global standing?
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LegCo's unshirkable responsibility of supporting national development
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