TOPIC

Hong Kong budget 2026-27

Financial Secretary Paul Chan is set to deliver his budget address in February, during which he will lay out the Hong Kong government’s spending plans for the new financial year.

2025-26

Hong Kong Budget 2025-26

2024-25

Hong Kong Budget 2024-25

2023-24

Hong Kong Budget 2023-24

The Exchange Fund withdrawal aims to support the Northern Metropolis and other infrastructure projects, according to the finance chief. Photo: Sam Tsang

Paul Chan

No Exchange Fund withdrawal in next 5 years after latest transfers: Paul Chan

Finance chief assures public the HK$150 billion withdrawal will not be repeated under current medium-range forecast.

30 minutes ago

Hong Kong transport

Commercial EV use needs boost after car owner tax break ends, green groups say

28 Feb 2026 - 12:00PM

Hong Kong economy

Opinion | Hong Kong’s fiscal surplus is cause for celebration, not complacency

28 Feb 2026 - 9:30AMvideocam

Hong Kong economy

Editorial | As Hong Kong’s economy recovers, it must drive Northern Metropolis

While the government’s proposal to dip into the Exchange Fund is unusual, new economic and geopolitical circumstances call for fresh thinking.

28 Feb 2026 - 7:15AM

A model of the Hong Kong-Shenzhen Innovation and Technology Park, located in the Northern Metropolis of Hong Kong. Photo: Eugene Lee

Hong Kong housing

Hong Kong to offer 9 residential sites to developers in 2026-27 land sale plan

Sites include three from previous programme and are expected to yield about 6,650 flats, development chief Bernadette Linn says.

27 Feb 2026 - 11:23PM

Education in Hong Kong

Hong Kong budget 2026-27: minister defends cuts to kindergarten subsidy

Education chief Christine Choi says government will channel more resources into pushing ‘high-quality education’.

27 Feb 2026 - 8:04PM

Hong Kong economy

Paul Chan confident Hong Kong can handle debt of bond-driven growth

Finance chief insists city will not struggle to repay bonds issued for Northern Metropolis projects, saying debt level remains ‘very safe’.

27 Feb 2026 - 4:29PM

Finance chief Paul Chan has proposed raising the borrowing cap of two bond schemes to HK$900 billion to speed up development of the Northern Metropolis and other major projects. Photo: Sam Tsang

Hong Kong tourism

Hong Kong set for 53.8 million visitor arrivals in 2026, up by 8%

Tourism minister also reveals 22-year-old ‘A Symphony of Lights’ will be dropped in favour of new offerings.

27 Feb 2026 - 8:32PM

Hong Kong

Which Hong Kong government departments get budget boosts while others face cuts?

New funding channelled into innovation, AI and intellectual property despite overall spending cuts and a drive to trim the civil service.

27 Feb 2026 - 9:00AM

Hong Kong economy

Hong Kong records HK$2.9 billion consolidated surplus for 2025-26. Here’s how

Economists optimistic for 2026-27, pointing to stabilised property market and transfer of finances between government funds or accounts.

26 Feb 2026 - 10:04PM

The city was previously expected to record a HK$67 billion deficit for the 2025-26 financial year, which ends on March 31. Photo: Jelly Tse

Hong Kong

Hong Kong open to backing universities issuing bonds to fund megaproject campuses

Financial Secretary Paul Chan says issuance of ‘tertiary education bond’ to support University Town’s construction will be considered.

26 Feb 2026 - 10:12PM

The planned Northern Metropolis includes a University Town. Photo: May Tse

Hong Kong

Hongkongers rush to showrooms as EV tax breaks end, ‘quotas’ sell for HK$60,000

EV car dealer says sales surged seventeenfold across 12 stores on Wednesday, jumping from daily average of 20 cars to about 340 by midnight.

26 Feb 2026 - 11:12PM

Artificial intelligence

AI committee can help Hong Kong start-ups ‘tackle legal, geopolitical hurdles’

Experts say committee proposed in the latest budget needs diverse panel of voices and be ‘action-driven’ to adapt to fast-moving industry.

26 Feb 2026 - 7:56PM

Paul Chan

Paul Chan defends budget strategy as Hongkongers slam lack of ‘sweeteners’

‘I am disappointed that giving out money or consumption vouchers has fallen off the radar,’ resident says.

26 Feb 2026 - 8:57PM

Financial Secretary Paul Chan has said the government’s relief measures totalled HK$22 billion and that it must remain financially cautious. Photo: Sam Tsang

Education in Hong Kong

‘Worst is yet to come’: Hong Kong’s early childhood sector hit hard by funding cuts

Sector facing decade-low subsidies and cancelled grants, with job losses and closures mounting as educators warn of bleak future.

26 Feb 2026 - 4:50PM

Hong Kong’s early education sector is bracing for tougher times after subsidy cuts and the loss of key government grants. Photo: Jelly Tse

Hong Kong economy

Hong Kong budget: everything you need to know from tax breaks to a big bet on AI

Financial Secretary Paul Chan unveiled a slew of initiatives in his annual budget address, ranging from relief measures to spending big on AI.

26 Feb 2026 - 11:57AM

Hong Kong tourism

Hong Kong 2026-27 budget: ‘Symphony of Lights’ to go dark under tourism revamp

Tourism Board to launch light festivals ‘across various locations at different times of year to replace A Symphony of Lights,’ Paul Chan says.

26 Feb 2026 - 10:31AMvideocam

Hong Kong

Budget reveal: government turns matchmaker with stronger hand in shaping economy

This year’s budget and clear adoption of national goals show Hong Kong government playing a greater role in the economy.

26 Feb 2026 - 9:19AMvideocam

Financial Secretary Paul Chan delivers his budget at Legislative Council in Admiralty. Photo: Eugene Lee

Hong Kong economy

Editorial | Budget sets Hong Kong up for its next phase of growth

The city’s improving economy and public finances have enabled a raft of tax allowances and concessions, but a volatile global environment means sustaining fiscal discipline remains critical.

26 Feb 2026 - 7:15AM

Northern Metropolis

Rare Exchange Fund withdrawal to pay for Northern Metropolis, other big schemes

Paul Chan has proposed transferring HK$150 billion from the Exchange Fund in the coming two years.

26 Feb 2026 - 9:04AMvideocam

Paul Chan

Hong Kong’s virtual asset sector considered for taxation under policy review

Latest budget announces new government committee to be tasked with reviewing Hong Kong’s tax policies.

25 Feb 2026 - 11:12PMvideocam

Hong Kong

Hong Kong to set up first national innovation centre outside mainland China

Finance chief Paul Chan says city will also establish a high-level steering committee to spearhead AI development.

25 Feb 2026 - 10:51PMvideocam

Hong Kong held an AI and Robotics Fest last November. Photo: Karma Lo

Mainland China

Hong Kong bets big on innovation, AI and finance in line with national goals

Northern Metropolis, San Tin Technopole cornerstones of innovation and technology strategy, finance chief Paul Chan says in budget address.

26 Feb 2026 - 9:20AMvideocam

Hong Kong

Hong Kong boosts investment body’s role in property sector, tech investment drive

Hong Kong Investment Corporation aims to draw overseas funds into commercial property projects, while advancing open-source RISC-V chip initiatives.

25 Feb 2026 - 9:24PM

Banking & finance

Hong Kong seeks to hone edge as offshore yuan hub, digital-asset front runner

Market participants largely welcome Paul Chan’s renewed push to strengthen Hong Kong’s position as an international financial centre.

25 Feb 2026 - 11:17PM

Hong Kong’s renewed push to strengthen its position as an international financial centre has been welcomed. Photo: Felix Wong

Northern Metropolis

Paul Chan’s new budget sets aside HK$30 billion to kick-start Northern Metropolis

Companies overseeing megaproject’s Hetao Hong Kong Park, San Tin Technopole and Hung Shui Kiu Industrial Park to each get HK$10 billion.

25 Feb 2026 - 9:55PMvideocam

The Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Cooperation Zone is among projects set to get a funding injection. Photo: Eugene Lee

HKEX

Hong Kong to speed up stock settlement time to catch up with West, mainland China

HKEX proposes to shorten stock settlement cycle from current two days after transactions to one day to bolster city as global financial centre.

25 Feb 2026 - 8:45PM

Hong Kong economy

Here is how you and businesses will benefit from Hong Kong budget sweeteners hike

Authorities will offer sweeteners of about HK$22 billion to residents and businesses, up from HK$7.8 billion.

26 Feb 2026 - 9:54AMvideocam

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Hong Kong budget 2026-27

No Exchange Fund withdrawal in next 5 years after latest transfers: Paul Chan

Finance chief assures public the HK$150 billion withdrawal will not be repeated under current medium-range forecast.

Commercial EV use needs boost after car owner tax break ends, green groups say

.css-1m2rp1p{color:#34b8b5;}Opinion | Hong Kong’s fiscal surplus is cause for celebration, not complacency

Editorial | As Hong Kong’s economy recovers, it must drive Northern Metropolis

While the government’s proposal to dip into the Exchange Fund is unusual, new economic and geopolitical circumstances call for fresh thinking.

Hong Kong to offer 9 residential sites to developers in 2026-27 land sale plan

Sites include three from previous programme and are expected to yield about 6,650 flats, development chief Bernadette Linn says.

Hong Kong budget 2026-27: minister defends cuts to kindergarten subsidy

Education chief Christine Choi says government will channel more resources into pushing ‘high-quality education’.

Paul Chan confident Hong Kong can handle debt of bond-driven growth

Finance chief insists city will not struggle to repay bonds issued for Northern Metropolis projects, saying debt level remains ‘very safe’.

Hong Kong set for 53.8 million visitor arrivals in 2026, up by 8%

Tourism minister also reveals 22-year-old ‘A Symphony of Lights’ will be dropped in favour of new offerings.

Which Hong Kong government departments get budget boosts while others face cuts?

New funding channelled into innovation, AI and intellectual property despite overall spending cuts and a drive to trim the civil service.

Hong Kong records HK$2.9 billion consolidated surplus for 2025-26. Here’s how

Economists optimistic for 2026-27, pointing to stabilised property market and transfer of finances between government funds or accounts.

Hong Kong open to backing universities issuing bonds to fund megaproject campuses

Financial Secretary Paul Chan says issuance of ‘tertiary education bond’ to support University Town’s construction will be considered.

Hongkongers rush to showrooms as EV tax breaks end, ‘quotas’ sell for HK$60,000

EV car dealer says sales surged seventeenfold across 12 stores on Wednesday, jumping from daily average of 20 cars to about 340 by midnight.

AI committee can help Hong Kong start-ups ‘tackle legal, geopolitical hurdles’

Experts say committee proposed in the latest budget needs diverse panel of voices and be ‘action-driven’ to adapt to fast-moving industry.

Paul Chan defends budget strategy as Hongkongers slam lack of ‘sweeteners’

‘I am disappointed that giving out money or consumption vouchers has fallen off the radar,’ resident says.

‘Worst is yet to come’: Hong Kong’s early childhood sector hit hard by funding cuts

Sector facing decade-low subsidies and cancelled grants, with job losses and closures mounting as educators warn of bleak future.

Hong Kong budget: everything you need to know from tax breaks to a big bet on AI

Financial Secretary Paul Chan unveiled a slew of initiatives in his annual budget address, ranging from relief measures to spending big on AI.

Hong Kong 2026-27 budget: ‘Symphony of Lights’ to go dark under tourism revamp

Tourism Board to launch light festivals ‘across various locations at different times of year to replace A Symphony of Lights,’ Paul Chan says.

Budget reveal: government turns matchmaker with stronger hand in shaping economy

This year’s budget and clear adoption of national goals show Hong Kong government playing a greater role in the economy.

Editorial | Budget sets Hong Kong up for its next phase of growth

The city’s improving economy and public finances have enabled a raft of tax allowances and concessions, but a volatile global environment means sustaining fiscal discipline remains critical.

Rare Exchange Fund withdrawal to pay for Northern Metropolis, other big schemes

Paul Chan has proposed transferring HK$150 billion from the Exchange Fund in the coming two years.

Hong Kong’s virtual asset sector considered for taxation under policy review

Latest budget announces new government committee to be tasked with reviewing Hong Kong’s tax policies.

Hong Kong to set up first national innovation centre outside mainland China

Finance chief Paul Chan says city will also establish a high-level steering committee to spearhead AI development.

Hong Kong bets big on innovation, AI and finance in line with national goals

Northern Metropolis, San Tin Technopole cornerstones of innovation and technology strategy, finance chief Paul Chan says in budget address.

Hong Kong boosts investment body’s role in property sector, tech investment drive

Hong Kong Investment Corporation aims to draw overseas funds into commercial property projects, while advancing open-source RISC-V chip initiatives.

Hong Kong seeks to hone edge as offshore yuan hub, digital-asset front runner

Market participants largely welcome Paul Chan’s renewed push to strengthen Hong Kong’s position as an international financial centre.

Paul Chan’s new budget sets aside HK$30 billion to kick-start Northern Metropolis

Companies overseeing megaproject’s Hetao Hong Kong Park, San Tin Technopole and Hung Shui Kiu Industrial Park to each get HK$10 billion.

Hong Kong to speed up stock settlement time to catch up with West, mainland China

HKEX proposes to shorten stock settlement cycle from current two days after transactions to one day to bolster city as global financial centre.

Here is how you and businesses will benefit from Hong Kong budget sweeteners hike

Authorities will offer sweeteners of about HK$22 billion to residents and businesses, up from HK$7.8 billion.

Opinion | Hong Kong’s fiscal surplus is cause for celebration, not complacency