The Thirteenth Five-Year (2016-2020) Plan and Hong Kong

Abstract

What are the implications of the Thirteenth Five-Year (2016-2020) Plan for Economic and Social Development of China for Hong Kong? While the Plan is mostly indicative even for the Mainland, and certainly not mandatory for Hong Kong, it does express support for Hong Kong to continue to develop as an international financial center (and the leading offshore Renminbi center), a center for innovation and an international legal, arbitration and mediation services center. Moreover, it also supports Hong Kong playing an active role in the “One Belt, One Road” initiative as well as the economic development of the Pearl River Delta region. It is, however, up to Hong Kong itself to devise a plan and a strategy to take advantage of these opportunities, which can be win-win for both the Mainland and Hong Kong.