Opinion | Beijing’s message is clear: Hong Kong must shape up and speed up

The annual “two sessions” in Beijing are under way, and this year the annual ritual of reading tea leaves in this city has been made easier for politics watchers. That is because Beijing has been blunt about the problems it thinks our city faces.

There is the usual praise for the Hong Kong government and Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu’s leadership. One striking difference is that Premier Li Qiang included in his annual work report, delivered at the opening session of the National People’s Congress (NPC), a call on Hong Kong to improve its governance and align itself with the national plan. Li has made the central government’s position clear: improve the city’s governance and get with the programme already.

Xia Baolong, Beijing’s point man in charge of Hong Kong affairs, warned the city in January to improve its executive-led governance. Beijing’s impatience over the lack of progress – especially when it comes to the development of the Northern Metropolis, considered vital in the city’s alignment with national plans – has been clear for some time. Xia has conducted site visits to inspect and oversee progress.

It’s worth noting that Lee had tried to do that with the 14th five-year plan. He established a steering group on integration into China’s national development in late 2022. However, the public might struggle to see much progress in those efforts.

Now the 14th five-year plan has come and gone and the 15th five-year plan is being rolled out, after a draft was introduced last October.