HK govt confident of implementing plans

Chief executive explains measures outlined in her Policy Address

Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor said on Thursday that good relations between the SAR’s legislature and executive had boosted the government’s confidence in carrying out the wide-ranging measures unveiled in her latest Policy Address.

Lam made the remark in a question-and-answer session at the Legislative Council a day after delivering the address, which was the last one of her current tenure as chief executive.

At the session, Lam further explained measures outlined in the address to lawmakers and responded to their questions about the timetable and cost of the plans.

She said that with the improved political environment in the legislature, the proposals included in the Policy Address will be discussed rationally by lawmakers, so they will achieve the best results and make practical contributions to the community.

Since November, the current legislative session has passed 46 bills and approved more than HK$320 billion ($41 billion) in expenditure, Lam said.

As Hong Kong is back on the right track of “one country, two systems”, now is the best time with the best momentum to launch progressive plans to seek greater development, she said.

Many legislators said they were inspired by the new Policy Address and are prepared to facilitate its implementation.

Barrister and lawmaker Eunice Yung Hoi-yan said at the session that she supported the increased attention to the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area in the address and hoped it would open up more opportunities for professionals.

Ma Fung-kwok, a lawmaker representing the city’s sports, arts and culture sector, said the art industry has set up a copyright-focused group to follow up on amendments to the Copyright Ordinance. It is one of the 40 outdated pieces of legislation due to be amended, according to the Policy Address. Lam agreed to meet the group soon and jointly move the amendments forward.

Some lawmakers also expressed their concerns about the ambitious plans in the address. Lau Kwok-fan estimated that it would take 20 years to complete the Northern Metropolis project, which is aimed at housing 2.5 million people and creating 650,000 jobs.

He said that due to the lengthy period of the project’s development, it may lag far behind the construction of the Qianhai Cooperation Zone in neighboring Shenzhen, Guangdong province.

Lam said that the SAR government will set up a dedicated coordination office to accelerate the implementation of the project.

The policy address also proposed to expedite land and housing supply, including amending the Town Planning Ordinance and other legislation next year.

Also on Thursday, the government held two briefings to elaborate on initiatives proposed in the Policy Address.

Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development Edward Yau Tang-wah announced the further extension of the Convention and Exhibition Industry Subsidy Scheme for six months to the end of December 2022 to shore up financial assistance to exhibitors impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.