‘Forward-looking’ Policy Address to lead HK to new chapter

Lee's first policy address envisions combining the foundation of “one country” with the advantages of “two systems”.

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This photo shows copies of Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu’s maiden Policy Address outside the Southorn Centre in Wanchai on Oct 19, 2022. (EDMOND TANG / CHINA DAILY)

October 21, 2022

HONG KONG – Societal leaders hailed Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu’s maiden Policy Address as “forward-looking” and “results-oriented”, saying it marked a vital step toward his lofty goal of opening a new chapter for the city.

Maria Tam Wai-chu, deputy director of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Basic Law Committee of the National People’s Congress, said a highlight of the new Policy Address is that the government is changing its long-existing “positive noninterventionism” mindset, adopting instead an executive-led administration system, bringing in aspiring talents while maintaining the checks and balances in the Legislative Council.

Lee’s first Policy Address aims to open a new chapter for the city, as he promised during the chief executive election. It envisions combining the foundation of “one country” with the advantages of “two systems” and generating new energy for the city’s development, Tam said.

The address demonstrates that Lee has made having a people-oriented administration a priority of the chief executive and the HKSAR government. He is facing the deep-seated social problems and showing determination to resolve them, Tam commented.

Maria Tam Wai-chu, deputy director of the HKSAR Basic Law Committee of the National People’s Congress, said a highlight of the new Policy Address is that the government is changing its long-existing “positive noninterventionism” mindset, adopting instead an executive-led administration system, bringing in aspiring talents while maintaining the checks and balances in the Legislative Council

Henry Tang Ying-yen, a Hong Kong member of the Standing Committee of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, said the new governance blueprint is forward-looking, and reflects Lee’s resolve to improve the city’s governance system.

The plans to establish a high-level steering committee to accelerate the city’s integration into national development, and set up a chief executive policy unit to stay in touch with the public pulse, are a good response to Xi Jinping’s work report delivered at the opening session of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, Tang said.

The creation of a new Culture Commission and the ambition to map out a new blueprint for Hong Kong’s long-term art and creative industries development will also bolster Hong Kong’s soft power, he added.

Starry Lee Wai-king, chairwoman of the Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong, said the address shows the government’s broad vision and international scope, as well as its strong determination on policy reform and implementation. It is also a reflection of diverse public opinions on addressing thorny social problems, she added.

Leaders of universities in Hong Kong also welcomed the address. Presidents of seven Hong Kong universities issued a joint statement on Wednesday saying that the fresh policies to support higher education and innovation industries will attract a wealth of talent to drive the city’s future growth.

The Hong Kong United Youth Association said the address launched many farsighted and concrete policies on youth development and cultivation, and outlined the government’s vision, objectives, and actions on youth work.

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