HKJC Proposes Cross-Border Racing Tourism Circuit in Hong Kong's First Five-Year Plan Submission
2026-07-17
The Hong Kong Jockey Club has submitted proposals for Hong Kong's first Five-Year Plan (2026-2030), advocating for a cross-border racing tourism circuit linking its three racecourses, expansion of equine industry expertise into mainland China, and transforming Hong Kong into a philanthropic hub, with the government aiming to publish the final blueprint by the third quarter of 2025.
The Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC) has submitted a comprehensive set of recommendations for the HKSAR Government's public consultation on Hong Kong's first Five-Year Plan (2026-2030), proposing a "Two Cities, Three Racecourses" racing tourism circuit linking its Sha Tin, Happy Valley and Conghua facilities. The submission, made on July 16, aims to deepen the city's integration into national development through equine sports, the sports economy and philanthropy.
Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges, Chief Executive Officer of the HKJC, said the Club "strongly welcomes" the government's initiative to formulate a local blueprint under the National 15th Five-Year Plan, calling it a "significant opportunity" to align Hong Kong's unique strengths with national development goals. The public consultation period runs until August 14, and the government expects to publish the final plan in the third quarter of this year.
Equine Hub and Racing Tourism
The HKJC's core proposal is to transform the Greater Bay Area (GBA) into an international equine industry hub. This would be anchored by a multi-destination racing circuit that connects its three racecourses – Sha Tin, Happy Valley and Conghua (in Guangzhou) – to attract both mainland Chinese and international visitors. The first race meeting at Conghua is scheduled for October 31, 2026, though betting will not be available within mainland China.
The Club also recommended expanding Hong Kong's expertise in veterinary science, biosecurity and disease-free zone management to other parts of mainland China, such as Xinjiang, while supporting the establishment of a World Organisation for Animal Health collaboration centre in Hong Kong. To facilitate talent mobility and industry development, the submission advocates for closer regulatory cooperation and mutual recognition of professional qualifications within the GBA, including exploring a clinical training centre in Shenzhen and Dongguan in partnership with local universities.
Sports Economy and Integrity
Under the sports economy theme, the Club proposed using existing frameworks like the "M-Mark" system to integrate sports with tourism and attract globally recognised flagship events. It highlighted Hong Kong's potential to serve as an international sports exchange platform, fostering a more integrated regional sports ecosystem through co-hosted events and talent exchanges within the GBA. The submission also noted the city's world-class standards in sports governance and integrity, with the HKJC offering its expertise through assets such as its internationally recognised Racing Laboratory, noting its role in supporting the government in combatting illegal gambling.
Philanthropy and Social Impact
The third strategic theme focuses on transforming Hong Kong into Asia's leading centre for philanthropy and social impact investment. The Club recommended channelling philanthropic capital to support critical infrastructure projects, such as the Northern Metropolis University Town, and expanding traditional financial models to incorporate social impact investments. It called for establishing a dedicated coordination mechanism to unlock new funding sources for social development. Separately, the Institute of Philanthropy – established by the HKJC and its Charities Trust – proposed positioning Hong Kong as a central knowledge and convening hub, forming a joint taskforce with mainland counterparts to standardise social impact measurement frameworks and launching formal cross-border exchange programmes.
Background and Context
The HKJC is Hong Kong's largest single taxpayer, returning HK$39.1 billion ($5 billion) to the community in 2024/25, including HK$30.1 billion ($3.8 billion) to the government in duty, profits tax and Lotteries Fund contributions, and HK$9 billion ($1.15 billion) in approved charity donations. The Five-Year Plan submission builds on a racing tourism push dating back to Chief Executive John Lee's 2024 Policy Address, which included a since-shelved proposal to relax the rule barring under-18s from racecourses.