Hong Kong Legco's historic Beijing visit includes tech tours and seminars
All 90 lawmakers head to Beijing for a week-long study trip costing HK$1.4 million.
In a historic move, all 90 members of Hong Kong's Legislative Council (Legco) will travel to Beijing from July 19 to 25 for a 'national affairs study visit.' This marks the first collective trip by the entire legislature to the capital since Hong Kong's return to Chinese sovereignty in 1997. According to a paper submitted to Legco on Thursday, the week-long delegation will include seminars on national security and geopolitical issues, visits to key central authorities, and tours of the technology sector. The trip is scheduled during the summer recess and is expected to cost approximately HK$1.4 million in total. Each lawmaker's estimated expenditure is around HK$15,600, covering an economy round-trip flight ticket (HK$3,700), accommodation, meals, local transport, and sundries (HK$11,000).
The paper, set for discussion at Friday's House Committee meeting, states that the visit will allow lawmakers to 'better grasp the central authorities' governance philosophy and development strategies' and deepen their understanding of national policies and development. The document explicitly links the trip to Hong Kong's alignment with the national 15th five-year plan, noting that the city is conducting research and gathering views from various sectors to help formulate its first five-year development blueprint. The trip underscores Beijing's efforts to integrate Hong Kong more closely into national strategic planning, particularly in technology and economic development, while reinforcing the 'one country, two systems' framework.
- All 90 Hong Kong lawmakers will visit Beijing from July 19-25, the first collective Legco trip since 1997.
- The trip includes seminars on national security and geopolitics, plus tours of tech sector and central authorities.
- Total cost estimated at HK$1.4 million, with each lawmaker spending about HK$15,600 (including HK$3,700 airfare).
Why It Matters
This visit signals deeper Hong Kong-Beijing coordination on tech and national security, influencing policy alignment with China's 15th five-year plan.