Hong Kong Policy Address โ2025 Signals End to Consumption Vouchers, Focus onโฃ Job creation
HONG KONG, September 18, 2025 – Chief Executive Li Jiachao has confirmed the cessation ofโ consumption voucher schemes in the upcoming 2025 Policy Address, acknowledging โฃmounting pressure on government finances. Insteadโ of direct handouts, the administration will โprioritize utilizing โขgovernment expenditure as a means of stimulating employment, marking a shift in economic policy for the โregion.
The decision to discontinue โฃthe popular voucher program,which previously injected billions of Hong Kong dollars into the economy,reflects a broader fiscal reality. Li jiachao stated the government must strategically allocate resources to โmaximize long-term economic benefits. This pivot impactsโ Hong Kong โฃresidents who relied on the vouchers for purchasingโ power,and โฃalso businesses that benefited from โคthe increased consumer spending. The move comes amid ongoing discussions about potential long-term solutions,โ including exploring the feasibility of introducing “AI senior officials” to โฃcombatโ corruption and improve governmental efficiency, asโ suggested by some analysts referencing Europeanโ and American trends.
The administration’s newโค strategy centers on large-scale projects andโ infrastructure development designed to generate employment opportunities. Details regarding specific projects and anticipated job creation numbers are expected to be outlined in the full Policy Address. This approach represents a โคdeparture from previous stimulus measures and โขsignalsโค a โcommitment toโฃ lasting economic growth through investment rather than direct consumer โsubsidies.
Alongside the shift in economic policy,โค other financial news is developing. โฃHong kong is poised toโข implementโค a new T+1 trading system for stocks,potentially ending the era of fingerprint-based trading confirmations. Additionally, reports indicate a growing trendโ of elderly homeowners opting to become landlords rather than participate in government housing exchange programs.