Lam talks up Hong Kong’s future

Actions might speak louder than words, but a clear message certainly helps. In her first year in office, Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor, chief executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, has focused on actions and words, communicating through so

Education

On July 5, the SAR government approved extra funding of about HK$3.6 billion ($458 million) to implement measures mapped out to address resources issues in the education sector. The measures are intended to benefit kindergarten, primary, secondary and postsecondary education. The funding was part of Lam’s ambitious plan to inject an extra HK$5 billion into education spending.

Technology and innovation

To attract talent to Hong Kong’s innovation and technology sector, the SAR government on June 25 rolled out a Technology Talent Admission program that aims to fast-track recruitment of overseas and mainland research and development experts. The pilot program will run for three years, with up to 1,000 people expected to participate in the first year.

Co-location

On June 14, the Legislative Council approved the co-location bill for the Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong Express Rail Link after the third and final reading of the draft legislation. The move is expected to significantly shorten travel times between Hong Kong and mainland destinations on high-speed services along the XRL as it allows mainland customs, immigration and quarantine authorities to clear passengers for boarding according to national laws in a mainland port area inside the XRL terminus in Kowloon.

Tax rates

A two-tier profits tax rate system came into force on April 1. The program will benefit eligible enterprises with assessable profits, regardless of their company size. To ensure small and medium-sized enterprises as major grantees, the regime is accredited to only one enterprise nominated among connected entities.

Policy innovation and coordination

On April 1, the Central Policy Unit was reorganized into a new office devoted to policy research and innovation, coordinating bureaus and departments, enhancing public participation in policy formulation, and assisting coordination of cross-bureau policies singled out by the senior government’s leadership.

Youth development

The Youth Development Commission was established on March 28. It is aimed at enabling more inclusive and effective examination and discussion of issues concerning young people. The commission will pay special attention to a number of youth-related issues, including education, development, home ownership and their engagement in politics and public policy discussion and debate.

Living allowances for seniors

The Social Welfare Department launched the higher old-age living allowance on June 1, with the existing allowance renamed as the “normal OALA”. Seniors who meet the monthly income and asset limits will now receive HK$3,485 a month under the new system.