High-quality development is a concept first proposed at the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) in 2017 and reaffirmed as a top national priority in the 14th Five-Year Plan and the 20th National Congress by President Xi.
As Hong Kong works to align with broader national development strategies, creating and pursuing a people-centric vision of high-quality development should be a top priority for the city. With rising wealth disparity and persistent social challenges, Hong Kong faces a critical opportunity to redefine development with a greater emphasis on ‘quality’—ensuring economic and societal growth that is holistic, people-focused, and forward-looking.
Through cross-sector stakeholder and community engagement, the Hong Kong Young Leaders Programme provides a platform for participants to contribute policy and project recommendations that support the Government’s high-quality development strategy. These recommendations are designed to drive equitable economic growth, enhance quality of life, and strengthen societal resilience in Hong Kong.
The cohort’s proposed model consisted of 4 key pillars:
- Integrating Climate Mitigation & Adaptation Strategies
To establish a Climate Mitigation and Adaptation Authority to organise, plan and implement policy recommendations to transform Hong Kong into a Flood Resilient City, create A Climate Responsive Community and establish Hong Kong as a Regional Climate Centre. - Enhancing Social & Mental Wellbeing
To mandate businesses above a certain size (size to be determined through feasibility study) to contribute to a “Well-Being Fund”, which will be used to improve mental health literacy and understanding, promote community engagement through a “compassion” campaign and enhance low-intensity mental health services for early intervention. - Promoting Quality Youth Development & Education
To establish a Teacher Training School for the digital economy to prepare teachers for the technological transformation taking place and to cultivate digitally literate students in Hong Kong. - Strengthening the Arts, Culture & Sports Industries
To establish a long-term partnership with the real estate sector and property developers to take advantage of the city’s unused public spaces to strengthen the arts, cultural, and sports industries in Hong Kong.
The Hong Kong Young Leaders’ Programme cohort’s proposed plan aimed to drive the creation of equitable economic growth, improve the quality of life, and ensure societal resilience in Hong Kong.