June 28, 2023
HONG KONG – The government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region will continue to focus on ensuring the SAR attains greater prosperity amid headwinds and geopolitical challenges, the city’s leader said on Tuesday.
Addressing the media ahead the weekly Executive Council meeting, Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu expressed his thoughts after being asked about his first year in office.
“There are many things that require us to do. The demand of the work is heavy, but the meaning of the work is the most important,” said the CE, stressing that the city had “lost” three years due to COVID-19 and the violent protests in 2019.
Looking back, Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu said his role carried a heavy responsibility since his decisions would affect the community, adding that his duty must be discharged carefully and the government had to take all factors and differing views into consideration
“We have to chase back the times … That will require the full commitment from my team and we will contribute our best – our efforts, time and energy – to ensure things will be done properly,” Lee said.
Looking back, he said the role of chief executive carried a heavy responsibility since his decisions affect the community, adding that his duty must be discharged carefully and the government had to take all factors and differing views into consideration.
“Decision makers will make decisive moves, even though the decision may not be pleasant to everyone,” Lee said, adding that indecision “is the worst outcome”.
“It is very difficult to make a 100 percent unanimous decision … After listening to respective views, we have to take a decisive action,” he said.
The CE also pointed out that it was important to explain why the government made certain decisions and prioritize them together with other remedial and mitigating measures, so that residents would know the government had come to those decisions for the overall interest of Hong Kong.
The economic situation around the world is not bright, and also geopolitical complexity is another challenge, but we have the national development strategies, the (Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao) Greater Bay Area and the Belt and Road Initiative to support our growth.
John Lee Ka-chiu, Chief Executive
With the local consumption and tourism making a comeback, he expressed his optimism that the city’s upward trend would continue.
“The economic situation around the world is not bright, and also geopolitical complexity is another challenge, but we have the national development strategies, the (Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao) Greater Bay Area and the Belt and Road Initiative to support our growth,” he said.
Looking forward, Lee indicated his goals in housing supply and economic development in the coming year.
“Land and housing provision has been the most challenging task for the government over the years. We’ll have to continue working hard,” the CE said, adding that he would continue to go overseas to tell the world the opportunities and potential development in Hong Kong.
Developing local talents and helping them get well-equipped would also be another target in the coming year, he said.
Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu welcomes the city’s search-and-rescue team as it completed its lifesaving mission in the earthquake-stricken areas of Türkiye and returned to Hong Kong on Feb 18, 2023. (EDMOND TANG / CHINA DAILY)
New CE award scheme
Meanwhile, Lee announced the establishment of the Chief Executive’s Award for Exemplary Performance for civil servants, and its first recipient will be the HKSAR’s search and rescue team that went on a nine-day mission in Türkiye to find survivors after a major earthquake in February.
The Chief Executive’s Award for Exemplary Performance award aims to encourage continuous improvement of the civil services so that the the public could understand the extraordinary performance of the civil servants, the CE said
“The team reached deep into the earthquake zone through damaged roads and collapsed buildings under the cold weather. With their 200-hour rescue work, they faced all the risks with enthusiasm for life,” the CE said.
The award aims to encourage continuous improvement of the civil services so that the the public could understand the extraordinary performance of the civil servants, he said, adding that the first round of nominations was opened in March. An awarding ceremony will take place in July and more details would be announced soon.
HK$2 transport scheme abuse
Regarding the crackdown on the abuse of the HK$2 ($0.26) transport concessionary scheme for seniors, Lee said this high-profile action should serve as a deterrent.
“With this operation, we want to stress there are consequences for abusing the scheme,” he said, adding that there would be surprise check without prior notice after this operation.
Surge in wounding cases
Asked about the recent surge in the number of wounding cases, the CE said the number of violent crimes was not different from pre-pandemic levels, urging residents not to be overly worried about their safety.
“I have tasked the police to step up high-profile patrols, which are very effective in the prevention of crime,” Lee said, adding that Hong Kong is still a safe city and the government would not let its guard down.
This photo taken on April 16, 2023 shows a poster about discounted products for the 2023 consumption voucher scheme in a convenience store in Hong Kong. (ANDY CHONG / CHINA DAILY)
Holiday activities
On the free activities during the July 1 holiday, the CE said the purpose of those events was to promote local consumption and the public response was very positive.
“It carried a boosting effect on the economy through consumption as local consumption and tourism were the two major pillars in the city,” he said.