CE Charts New Direction for Hong Kong

In the first policy address of his new term, Hong Kong’s Chief Executive, Mr. Donald Tsang, unveiled in October a multifaceted vision designed to set Hong Kong on a bold new path. 

The three guiding principles behind this vision are:
• Promoting economic development as a primary goal
• Promoting sustainable, balanced and diversified development
• Enhancing social harmony to facilitate social mobility, help the poor, create job opportunities and promote a caring culture 

The Chief Executive advocated achieving these goals based on the concept of “Progressive Development”, which he described as “overall progress rather than economic development alone.”

Economic Development a Priority
Large-scale infrastructure projects will be the fuel behind Hong Kong’s economic growth, enhancing the city’s role as a global financial centre, promoting cultural and creative industries, developing human capital and attracting talent from around the world. 

Mr. Tsang pledged to push ahead with 10 major infrastructure projects, creating some 250,000 jobs and adding roughly HK$100 billion (C$12.5 billion) annually to the economy. The projects include the Sha Tin to Central Link, the Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong Express Rail Link, and the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge.

In addition, Hong Kong’s overall competitiveness will be enhanced with the development of its creative industries, and boosting of its appeal as an international convention, exhibition and tourism capital.

Quality Lifestyle
The Chief Executive also unveiled initiatives to combat global warming, improve the living environment, build a greener city, protect heritage and ensure food safety.

Mr. Tsang reiterated Hong Kong’s commitment to reduce energy intensity by at least 25% by 2030 (with 2005 as the base year). He said Government will lead by example by conducting a Carbon Audit and implementing an emissions reduction campaign in the new Central Government Complex at Tamar.

Free education and increased sites for international schools will assist in developing human capital and Hong Kong's role as a regional education hub, while an injection of an additional $1 billion into the Environment and Conservation Fund (ECF) will fund educational, research and technology demonstration projects. Mr. Tsang also announced long-term heritage conservation measures, and earmarked $1 billion (C$12.5 billion) for the revitalization of old buildings.

Building Community
Mr. Tsang said it was important that all sectors of the community felt the benefits of Hong Kong's economic recovery so that social stability and harmony could be enhanced.

Job creation and improved educational opportunities are the building blocks of Mr. Tsang’s plan to reduce inter-generational poverty. 

The Chief Executive also emphasized that a society's progress was measured in how people cared for the disadvantaged and the elderly. He dedicated HK$200 million (C$25 billion) to help improve living conditions for elderly residents in some communities and said it was necessary to expand the Housing Society's pilot Senior Citizen Residence Scheme

Developing Democracy, Governance
Mr. Tsang’s Policy Address included his promise to develop democracy and promote excellence in governance.

He applauded the consultation process and expressed his appreciation for the thousands of submissions and proposals received from the community. 

Mr. Tsang said democratic reform would have far-reaching implications on Hong Kong's long-term stability and prosperity, adding that the next step was to collate and summarize views from the public consultation. "On this basis, we will submit a report to the Central Authorities, reflecting faithfully the community's views on democratic development," Mr Tsang said. 

New Opportunities, New Era
"The rise of our country brings new opportunities,” said Mr. Tsang. “It also ushers in a new era for Hong Kong." He counseled his listeners to cultivate a spirit to suit the new times. “We need to become new Hongkongers, better equipped to sustain developments in the new era.” 

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