‘Hong Kong will embrace change,’ John Lee says as city welcomes 2025

Hong Kong’s leader has said he is looking to embrace more changes in 2025, as the city rings in the new year with four newborns, amid rising cost of living, and economic and geopolitical uncertainties.

Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu said on Wednesday the city would have to “acclimatise and be proactive to take on changes brought about by the changing environment internally and externally”.

“Hong Kong will have to embrace changes and take initiatives to align with mainland China’s strategic development,” he said in a New Year’s message, following the city’s largest countdown celebrations, which included a firework show.

He said he looked forward to the city reaching another milestone as an international innovation and technology (I&T) hub, which is expected to enter an operation stage this year.

The Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Co-operation Zone is located in Lok Ma Chau Loop along the city’s border with mainland China and was co-developed by Hong Kong and Shenzhen as part of efforts to attract talent, create wealth and transform strategic industries. It will serve as Hong Kong’s future growth engine.