While the improved fiscal position – driven by a stock market boom – has sparked calls for more sweeteners in this year’s financial blueprint, Chan has sought to manage public expectations by repeatedly stressing the need to maintain adequate reserves to safeguard against geopolitical shocks and support long-term growth.
The financial secretary has announced new measures to strengthen the city’s global financial standing, innovation and technology development. The city will also boost its growing intellectual property (IP) economy and aerospace development, inject substantial funds into a new innovation hub near the border, and consolidate Hong Kong’s strategic roles outlined in the nation’s 15th five-year plan.
Follow our live updates on the budget to see how it will affect you.
WATCH LIVE: Hong Kong budget address 2026
WATCH LIVE: Hong Kong budget address 2026
More from our coverage:
Reporting by Jeffie Lam, Denise Tsang, Edith Lin, Jess Ma, Lo Hoi-ying, Oscar Liu, Connor Mycroft, Natalie Wong and Matthew Cheng.