Full text of "The Chief Executive's 2026 Policy Address" (8)

Publication of the Policy Address

On 16 Sep 2026, the Information Services Department published Chapter VII ("Enhance Social Well-being") of the Chief Executive's 2026 Policy Address. The chapter articulates a comprehensive policy agenda structured under two principal pillars: ("A") Advance Quality Education and Nurture a Diversified Pool of Talent; and ("B") Foster the Development of Young People, Women, Families and a Harmonious Society.

Quality Education as Strategic Imperative

The Government has designated quality education as the foundational pillar underpinning Hong Kong's economic competitiveness and its strategic positioning as an international education hub. The articulated priorities encompass: (i) expansion of NMUT development; (ii) enhancement of school education standards across all levels; (iii) reinforcement of digital literacy and values-based instruction at kindergarten, primary, and secondary stages; (iv) elevation of the status of vocational and professional education within the broader educational framework; and (v) adoption of a systematic approach to teachers' continuous professional development.

Digital Transformation in Education

In alignment with the National 15th Five-Year Plan's directive on advancing digital transformation strategy for education, the EDB shall implement its Blueprint for Digital Education Development in Primary and Secondary Schools. The programme promotes digital and STEAM
(Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts and Mathematics) education through three principal workstreams: (i) deployment of a free digital-education learning resource platform incorporating AI Large Language Models, with progressive extension of an 'AI Teaching Assistant' to additional subject areas; (ii) review of technology education curricula at primary level to optimise Information and Innovation Technology interfaces between primary and secondary stages, alongside revision of senior secondary mathematics and science syllabi; and (iii) allocation of Quality Education Fund resources towards digitalisation of kindergarten administration, including procurement of enhanced digital equipment and AI tools for kindergartens, promotion of technological ethics and digital literacy among parents, and provision of training to teaching and administrative personnel.

School Governance, Student Development, and Professional Standards

With respect to school operating standards, the Government shall refine the Code of Practice for Private Schools and update the Private School List. The 'Confluence and Elevation – School Excellence Project' is scheduled for launch in publicly-funded schools commencing the 2026/27 academic year, with a view to encouraging mergers between suitable primary and secondary institutions. In relation to student development, the EDB shall develop a one-stop self-directed learning portal dedicated to Chinese Language Education; organise territory-wide English-speaking activities; create opportunities for junior secondary students to acquire additional languages; and collaborate with enterprises and higher education institutions on financial literacy programmes.

In respect of teachers' professional development, legislative amendments to the Education Ordinance will mandate a practising certificate as a prerequisite for teaching practice, accompanied by enhancement of the teacher registration mechanism. The Government shall further improve the teacher training framework through introduction of specific requirements designed to elevate professional standards. In collaboration with the Alliance of Universities of Applied Sciences, publicity on vocational education is to be conducted at an early stage in secondary schools, while Greater Bay Area ("GBA") cooperation will be deepened through joint programmes, cross-boundary internships, and collaborative research initiatives.

Vocational Training and Workforce Upskilling

For local technical experts, the additional monthly training allowance of $1,000 for registered apprentices shall be extended for a further two-year period. The Construction Industry Council ("CIC") will continue to deliver systematic training courses aimed at upgrading construction technology capabilities, with particular emphasis on frontline site personnel.

Upskill Hong Kong
The upgraded Employees Retraining Board is mandated to publish the first phase of its skill-based training framework in Q1 2027, focusing on city operations sectors and establishing structured skills' learning pathways. Furthermore, the Government shall commence a review of the Continuing Education Fund within the first year following Upskill Hong Kong's establishment.

International Youth Engagement and Global Mobility Programmes

Since the current-term Government announced the Youth Development Blueprint, in excess of 290 initiatives have been implemented. To empower young people to engage globally, HYAB established an International Young Talent Exchange Base
(encompassing Y Cube at Chai Wan, Youth Link · Nam Cheong, and the Youth Post at Kai Tak) during this year, incorporating: (i) a new HYAB – United Nations Youth Leaders Internship Programme offering placements across various UN agencies; (ii) cooperation agreements with international organisations and arrangements facilitating young people's participation in large-scale conferences held in Hong Kong and Mainland China; (iii) invitations to international experts for exchange of views with youth who have participated in exchanges or internships; and (iv) continued organisation of the Youth Development Summit convening global participants.

The Government shall explore additional opportunities, including: (i) consultation with IOMed regarding enhanced youth participation; (ii) continuation of support for engagements outside Hong Kong – the Funding Scheme for Chinese Mainland and Global Engagement and Student Learning Experience having benefited over 74,000 students across three academic years, and from 2026/27 UGC injecting $100 million to cover Belt and Road countries; (iii) allocation by EDB of additional resources enabling VTC to form a 41-member Hong Kong delegation for the WorldSkills Competition ('Skills Olympics') held in September this year. HYAB shall further deepen its support through: (i) a new thematic finance internship programme at Mainland financial institutions; (ii) thematic aerospace training activities; (iii) increased high-end scientific research internships at Chinese Academy of Sciences; and (iv) newly established AI experiential activities.

Innovation and Technology Career Pathways for Young People

For innovation and technology career exploration, the Government shall introduce a young researcher category under the Innovation and Technology Support Programme. HKSTPC has expanded its Talent Foundry programme targeting university students, researchers, and professionals with focus on AI+ technologies, generating approximately 500 training opportunities annually. Continued funding support is provided for HKPC's Hong Kong Future Aerospace Technology Talents Training Programme; Cyberport shall likewise support I&T development through relevant programmes. Additionally, HKHA will regularise the 'Well Being · Start-Up 2.0' Programme offering 15 shops and over 70 entrepreneurial opportunities – representing a sevenfold increase from its pilot phase.

Youth Employment and Internship Initiatives

The Government, in conjunction with the business sector, has launched the two-year '30,000 Youth Employment and Internship Programme', comprising: (i) creation of an additional 10,000 full-time positions lasting six months or longer within a two-year window commencing Q1 2027 for new workforce entrants, with the Government assuming part of wages at $6,000 per month or up to one-third of monthly salary over six months; (ii) expansion of the STEM Internship Scheme and HYAB Youth Start-up Internship Programme providing in excess of 10,000 internship quotas within two years, each intern receiving a subsidy not less than $11,000; (iii) allocation by CIC and Government during 2027 and 2028 of funding for on-the-job training with a monthly salary subsidy of $5,000 per graduate, offering an aggregate total of 10,000 training places over two years; and (iv) FSDC's launch of a two-year Financial Services Industry Youth Internship Programme providing 1,000 placements. A dedicated 'one-stop' webpage shall be established for programme access and applications.

The Government will further establish the 'Youth Employment Link' online service portal and introduce the Shanghai-Hong Kong Youth Employment Scheme to facilitate cross-border employment opportunities.

Fertility Promotion Measures

The current-term Government has transitioned from a non-interventionist posture to one of active fertility promotion. Existing measures in force include: Newborn Baby Bonus of $20,000; doubled child allowance for newborns; increased general child allowance; raised tax-deduction ceiling for mortgage loan interest and rental payments; PRH allocation priority scheme; Home Ownership Scheme flat selection priority; expanded CCCs and Child Care Centre Parent Subsidy; enhanced after-school care services; improved Neighbourhood Support Child Care Project; tax deduction for assisted reproductive services; increased public hospital IVF quota; removal of statutory storage periods for gametes/embryos; and promotion of the Good Employer Charter.

Eleven additional measures are to be introduced: (i) extension by three years of the $20,000 newborn baby bonus scheduled to expire on 24 October this year; (ii) increase in such bonus from $20,000 to $30,000 for second or subsequent children born today or thereafter, effective for a period of three years; (iii) increase in tax allowance for second and subsequent children from $140,000 to $160,000, claimable until the child reaches age 25, with effect from YA 2026/27; (iv) corresponding increase in additional first-two-years post-childbirth allowance from $140,000 to $160,000, effective YA 2026/27; (v) entitlement for eligible families purchasing residential property within one year before or two years after childbirth to a stamp duty waiver capped at $20,000 upon passage of the relevant amendment bill; (vi) from the next Home Ownership Scheme sale exercise, raising maximum mortgage loan-to-value ratio for White Form family applicants with newborns to 95%; (vii) phased increase by HA over three years in IVF service quota by an additional 300 cycles to reach 1,900 per annum; (viii) gradual extension by PHC Commission of free pre-pregnancy/antenatal/postnatal classes to all DHCs and DHC Expresses, with Family Planning Association of Hong Kong commencing publicity this year; (ix) following last year's announcement of 15 new aided standalone CCCs, establishment of three additional centres providing approximately 1,800 supplementary day-care places by end-2030; (x) regularisation from the 2027/28 school year of the School-based After School Care Service Scheme without imposition of quota limits; and (xi) strengthened professional support for the Pre-primary Children programme including escort services and enhanced publicity.

Support for Women, Ethnic Minorities, and Community Governance

The 'She Inspires' Mentorship Programme shall be extended by three years to broaden female university students' career horizons. In respect of ethnic minorities ("EMs"), Support Service Centres are directed to establish an Elder Harmony Network next year and launch a Success Counsel Programme under which outstanding EMs share their experiences while encouraging youth participation in District Youth Committees via the Member Self-recommendation Scheme for Youth. The Government shall regularise the EM District Ambassador Pilot Scheme and invite qualified EMs to serve as social welfare volunteers. Tailored learning materials, including the Youth Chinese Test and Hanyu Shuiping Kaoshi, are to be adopted, with after-school Chinese courses provided from Primary 1 through Secondary 3.

The establishment of Care Teams constitutes an integral component of district governance enhancement; resources shall be allocated for training encompassing emergency response knowledge, communication skills, and health support. The LWB, in partnership with Connecting Hearts, has fostered substantive exchange between Hong Kong's social welfare sector and Mainland counterparts, facilitating a total of 102 livelihood improvement projects undertaken by 46 Hong Kong organisations in collaboration with 81 counterpart institutions from other GBA cities.