In the 2026 National People's Congress and Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, the direction of deep integration and resonance between Hong Kong and Macao and the national blueprint will become increasingly clear, and their positioning in the overall development of the country will usher in a new upgrade. Synchronization of planning: A historic shift from "integration" to "active docking" is a prominent highlight of this year's National People's Congress and Hong Kong Macao issues - Hong Kong will formulate a five-year plan for the first time. Several representatives and members expressed that this marks the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region's governance moving towards a more forward-looking medium - and long-term strategic planning, and actively aligning with the national development planning cycle. Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam pointed out that the "15th Five Year Plan" is not only a direction, but also an opportunity and a platform for Hong Kong to take proactive actions. Hong Kong will use its own strengths to serve the needs of the country and achieve greater development through contributions. Tu Haiming, a member of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference and deputy director of the Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan and Overseas Chinese Affairs Committee of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, stated on the "Members' Channel" that Hong Kong is duty bound to better integrate into the overall development of the country in accordance with the "15th Five Year Plan". This year is also a crucial year for Macau to formulate its third five-year plan for the Special Administrative Region. Macao SAR Chief Executive Cen Haohui stated that aligning with national planning is Macao's constitutional responsibility and historical opportunity. Several representatives and members expressed that the "Three Five" plan in Macau is expected to further consolidate social consensus and promote good governance. Role upgrade: From "participant" to "service provider" and "contributor". Both the government work report and the draft outline of the 15th Five Year Plan emphasize the unwavering implementation of the principles of "One Country, Two Systems", "Hong Kong people governing Hong Kong", "Macao people governing Macao", and a high degree of autonomy, and the implementation of the principles of "patriots governing Hong Kong" and "patriots governing Macao". This lays the foundation for consolidating administrative leadership and enhancing the effectiveness of rule of law governance in the Hong Kong and Macao Special Administrative Regions. Both documents support Hong Kong and Macao to leverage their unique advantages of being backed by the motherland and connected to the world, better integrate into and serve the overall development of the country, and promote long-term prosperity and stability of Hong Kong and Macao. Wu Zhiliang, a member of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference and Chairman of the Administrative Committee of the Macao Foundation, pointed out that the description of Hong Kong and Macao has shifted from "integrating into the overall development of the country" to "integrating into and serving the overall development of the country", with the addition of the word "serving". He emphasized the promotion of long-term prosperity and stability in Hong Kong and Macao, reflecting the new requirements and expectations of the central government for Hong Kong and Macao. Several representatives and committee members believe that this change in wording is not only an adjustment, but also reflects that the role of Hong Kong and Macao in national development is shifting from being "participants" to more active "service providers" and "contributors". The convergence of momentum: The high-quality development of the Guangdong Hong Kong Macao Greater Bay Area, contributed by talent and technological innovation, has been included in the government work report for 10 consecutive years. This year's government work report proposes the construction of an international science and technology innovation center in the Guangdong Hong Kong Macao Greater Bay Area, creating a world-class source of scientific and technological innovation, and supporting the development of a world-class urban agglomeration in the Guangdong Hong Kong Macao Greater Bay Area. Li Jiachao bluntly stated in an interview that 'without technology, there is no future', and pointed out that Hong Kong has several of the world's top 100 universities and is striving to build an international high-end talent gathering highland. Huang Jinhui, a member of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference and Vice Dean of the School of Engineering at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, believes that during the 15th Five Year Plan period, Hong Kong can rely on the cooperation mechanism of the Greater Bay Area to promote the assetization and marketization of innovative achievements, and provide support for new quality productivity. Chen Jimin, a member of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference and Vice Chairman and Secretary General of the Board of Directors of Macau University of Science and Technology, stated that relying on universities and national key laboratories, a group of young scientists have rapidly grown through participation in major national projects, and are also attracting more and more international top scientists to root in the Guangdong Hong Kong Macao Greater Bay Area. The vitality of "one country, two systems" will continue to radiate new vitality in the process of Chinese path to modernization with the docking of planning, upgrading of roles and convergence of momentum. (New Society)