In a proactive move to engage with the public, John Lee Ka-chiu, the Chief Executive (CE) of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), attended a district forum on Sunday. This event was part of the preparations for the upcoming policy address in October. The forum, a bi-session event, was a platform for the community to voice concerns and offer suggestions that may shape Hong Kong’s future, especially in its quest to attract international talent and invigorate tourism.
Forum Details and Attendance
The Aldrich Bay Government Primary School served as the venue for the two-hour forum, witnessing participation from roughly 120 attendees. These individuals represented a vast array of professions and backgrounds, making the event a melting pot of perspectives and ideas. A myriad of topics surfaced during the discussions, as detailed by the HKSAR government’s website. Topics ranged from land and housing to innovation and finance, encompassing a vast spectrum of concerns like education, sports, youth initiatives, health, and welfare.
During the forum’s second segment, attendees were clustered into four distinct groups. Each group’s purpose was to facilitate in-depth dialogue with top-ranking officials on various themes, predominantly focusing on economic growth and improving the standard of living for Hongkongers. Throughout these discussions, Lee took the initiative to interact personally with each group, aiming to gain a direct insight into the citizens’ concerns.
Contextualizing with Past Policy Addresses
Lee had previously presented his inaugural policy address at the Legislative Council in October of 2022. This address was notable for introducing multiple strategies aimed at positioning Hong Kong as a magnet for global talent, reinforcing its stature as a premier financial center, and streamlining its alignment with the nation’s broader developmental objectives.
Reflecting on the previous year, Lee highlighted the public’s general consensus and approval of the governance policy outlined in the 2022 address. Going forward, he expressed his intent to be more attuned to public sentiment. By assimilating their feedback, he hopes to refine, diversify, and prioritize policy objectives, ensuring they resonate with the city’s residents.
As the 2023 Policy Address is slated for October 25, the HKSAR government has been proactive in its approach. It has planned over 30 consultation sessions to solicit insights from various stakeholders, including Legislative Council members, sector representatives, and the general public.
Economic Challenges and Expectations
Recent global economic upheavals have intensified the pressure on the HKSAR government. There is a growing expectation among Hong Kong citizens for the government to chart out and execute policies that bolster the local economy while ensuring sustainable business practices. Observers have voiced these sentiments, emphasizing the pivotal role of the government in these challenging times.
Lau Siu-kai, from the Chief Executive Policy Unit Expert Group, shared his insights with the Global Times. He underscored the imperative for the HKSAR government to actionize the key policies proposed in the previous year’s address. By showing tangible progress, they could restore and bolster the public’s faith in both the government and Hong Kong’s future. Lau also cautioned against the incessant introduction of new policies, emphasizing the importance of tangible results. Additionally, he remarked on the HKSAR government’s fiscal challenges and external pressures, advising judicious resource management.
Voices from the Ground
Chu Kar-kin, a seasoned current affairs commentator, provided a grassroots perspective. He lamented the perceived inadequacies in civil services, citing examples such as prolonged wait times for short medical consultations in public hospitals and apparent discrepancies in public housing allocation. Chu also pointed out the paradox of the city attracting global talent while offering them unstable job prospects and limited career advancement opportunities. He highlighted the skewed value proposition where taxpayers bear the cost of services they can’t access. Chu stressed the skyrocketing property prices and emphasized the need for more government investment in pivotal sectors like education, elderly welfare, and technological innovation.
Lee’s Perspective and Vision
In closing remarks, Lee emphasized the need to be attuned to the multifaceted needs of the city’s inhabitants. Recognizing the diverse living conditions across communities, he affirmed the importance of formulating policies that cater to these variances. Lee’s vision, as reported by local media The Standard, is a governance model that proactively aligns with and responds to the aspirations of the people of Hong Kong.
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