Contribute to national development by telling ‘good stories’ of China and Hong Kong, John Lee tells journalists

“Hong Kong media outlets should “make contributions” to national development by telling “good stories” of the city and China amid geopolitical uncertainties, Chief Executive John Lee has said. Microphones from media outlets at a press conference. File photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP. Speaking at the annual Hong Kong News Awards ceremony on Friday, Lee said media practitioners in Hong Kong should aspire to contribute not just to the city’s progress, but also to China’s “national development.” He made reference to the “Three Deeds to Immortality,” an ancient Chinese philosophy, and urged media workers to establish “virtue,” “contribution,” and “teaching.” He said promoting national and city interests should be the core values of those in the media industry, especially amid uncertainties in global politics. See also: Explainer: Hong Kong’s press freedom under the national security law “Journalism has great influence and therefore comes with great responsibilities,” Lee said in Cantonese. “Such responsibilities include being impartial, not using news for personal gain, and reporting on accurate and high-quality information for residents.” Lee said the government is working on Hong Kong’s first five-year blueprint in tandem with China’s 15th Five-Year Plan, a set of policy initiatives outlined by the Chinese Communist Party that has set the stage for the country’s social and economic development since the 1950s. Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee speaks at the 2025 Hong Kong News Awards ceremony on May 15, 2026. Photo: GovHK. The 15th Five-Year Plan, announced in March, proposes expediting the development of a “Chinese narrative system,” and enhancing the country’s image on the global stage, Lee said. “Excellent media workers… should assist Hong Kong in serving the country, connecting to the world, and contributing the power of the news to society and people’s wellbeing,” he said. Lee has called on Hong Kong’s media sector to tell good stories of the city since he became Chief Executive in 2022. He has made similar remarks during past speeches at the Hong Kong News Awards ceremony, thought this was the first time he directly urged media workers to contribute to China’s development. Hong Kong has plummeted in international press freedom indices since the onset of the 2020 and 2024 security laws . Watchdogs cite the arrest and jailing of journalists , raids on newsrooms and the closure of around 10 media outlets including Apple Daily , Stand News and Citizen News .

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