Hong Kong unveils first 5-year plan to broaden the city's identity beyond finance

Hong Kong's leader has unveiled a five-year plan to broaden the city's identity beyond financeHONG KONG -- Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee on Wednesday unveiled the city's first five-year plan in a politically symbolic step that echoes Beijing's approach to development, pushing to broaden Hong Kong's identity beyond international finance to also encompass technology and higher education. In a speech to the legislature, Lee said the plan aims to make breakthroughs in economic development, enhance competitiveness, improve social well-being and achieve progress in integrating into and serving national development. The special administrative region has long prided itself on minimal government intervention in the economy, even as officials have increasingly referenced Beijing’s vision for the city. Mainland China in March approved its 15th five-year plan for 2026 to 2030. Ahead of launching Hong Kong's plan, the city government said it would serve as a framework outlining the financial hub’s strategic priorities and not a planned economy, insisting the capitalist system would be upheld. Another main goal of Hong Kong's plan is to speed up development of the Northern Metropolis, which...