The Chief Executive is really busy!
After delivering his third policy address yesterday (16th), Lee Jiachao (Brother Chao) immediately attended the press conference to answer questions from the media, and in the evening he attended the "Policy Forum" co-organized by the TV station to explain the key points of the policy address.
(See the full text of the policy address: Hong Kong government's "candy pie"?) A clear article↓)
Governance adheres to three principles
This year's Policy Address is 31,800 words, divided into 9 chapters and 228 paragraphs. Li Jiachao said that his governance philosophy is the same as that of the first day in office, which is to "take results as the goal" and establish a government culture that does practical things and gets things done. During this period, he adhered to three principles: citizen-centered, economy as the main axis, and development to improve people's livelihood.
Li Jiachao said that since taking office three years ago, each period has had different governance goals and themes. In 2022, Hong Kong was plagued by the epidemic, so he set the policy goal of "working together to tide over difficulties", and the theme of that year's policy address was "Seeking Happiness for the People and Development for Hong Kong". In 2023, we will come out of the epidemic and initially embark on a period of governance and prosperity, so the policy goal is to "restore normalcy in society, recreate laughter, promote recovery, and create jobs", and the theme of the policy address is "fight for economic development, benefit people's livelihood and increase happiness".
"2024 is a period of security and security, and it is a period of all-out attack, governance and prosperity!" Li Jiachao said that the goal of governance is therefore "reform and change, thousands of sails at the same time, burst out strength", and the theme is "reform and development together, benefit the people's livelihood and build the future". He pointed out that the focus of this year's Policy Address is to seek reform and change and explore new growth points.
"Some bottom lines to keep" for the public
The housing problem has always been the focus of social concern, and the new policy address proposes that the problem of "flat houses" will be dealt with by legislation, and the units that meet the standards will be called "simple houses", including must have windows, have independent toilets, and have an area of not less than 8 square meters. Last night, Lee Jiachao attended the "Policy Forum" and said that the minimum standard proposed this time is to set the minimum standard, hoping that by standardizing the subdivided units, the inferior units will no longer exist, emphasizing that there are some bottom lines to be kept, and expecting that the market "simple housing" conditions will be higher than the standard in the future.
A large number of members of the public went to the Home Affairs Enquiry Centre in Wan Chai to obtain a copy of the new Policy Address. Photo by reporter Cai Qiwen
The business community praises the Policy Address
Seek change in progress
The Chinese General Chamber of Commerce, the Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce, the Chinese Manufacturers' Association of Hong Kong, and the Hong Kong Chinese Importers' & Exporters' Association all welcomed the third policy address, with the theme of "Reform and Development, Benefiting People's Livelihood and Building a Better Future", which was welcomed by the Chinese General Chamber of Commerce, the Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce, the Chinese Manufacturers' Association of Hong Kong, and the Hong Kong Chinese Importers' and Exporters' Association.
ACCCIM praises the right direction of innovation
The Chinese General Chamber of Commerce (ACCCIM) welcomes the Chief Executive's third Policy Address after taking office. Cai Guanshen, president of the association, praised the report for its comprehensive content, especially in deepening the development of advantageous industries such as finance, shipping, innovation and technology, making an all-round layout and putting forward a number of bright spots. The Policy Address also emphasises the need to pursue continuous progress, uphold integrity and innovation, plan for reforms in light of local conditions, and strengthen co-operation with the Mainland, especially the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, so as to help Hong Kong cope with various challenges more flexibly and explore new opportunities for broader development.
ACCCIM welcomes the report's acceptance of a number of recommendations put forward by the Council, including attracting investors to conduct gold warehousing and trading in Hong Kong, enriching the diversity and scale of offshore renminbi investment products, improving cross-border payments, promoting the development of high value-added maritime services, and setting up the Hong Kong Maritime and Port Development Council to formulate policies and long-term development strategies, which will play a key role in further consolidating and enhancing the development of Hong Kong as an international financial, maritime and trade centre.
The Policy Address introduced a number of measures to support the transformation of SMEs, including expanding the geographical subsidy scope of e-commerce to the 10 ASEAN countries, providing targeted funding to enterprises to implement green transformation projects, expanding the coverage of the Pilot Digital Transformation Support Scheme, strengthening the brand development of SMEs, and reintroducing the "principal moratorium".
The Policy Address also strives to promote the further integrated development of Hong Kong and the Mainland cities of the Greater Bay Area, and proposes relevant policies to promote policy innovation and breakthroughs, and jointly build wider convergence of rules and mechanisms.
General Chamber of Commerce: Make every effort to promote the economy and benefit the people's livelihood
The Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce welcomes the delivery of the Chief Executive, John Lee, in his third Policy Address, which sets out a series of measures to promote Hong Kong's development, boost the economy and support people's livelihood, and strive to improve the well-being of the people and the community as a whole. "We are pleased to see the Chief Executive's efforts to enhance the competitiveness of Hong Kong's key industries and provide financial and policy support, such as further leveraging the potential of traditional pillar industries such as finance, trade, logistics and tourism, and setting up a $10 billion I&T Industry Guidance Fund to promote the development of biomedical research, low-altitude economy and strategic emerging industries," said the Chairman of the CCCC, Ms Chan Sui Kuen, "We are pleased to see the Chief Executive's efforts to enhance the competitiveness of Hong Kong's key industries, and to provide financial and policy support, such as further leveraging the potential of traditional pillar industries such as finance, trade, logistics and tourism, and setting up a $10 billion I&T Industry Guidance Fund to promote the development of biomedical research, low-altitude economy and strategic emerging industries. ”
The Chamber is pleased to see that the Chief Executive has adopted his recommendations to support the development of the tourism industry. The development of diversified tourism and the use of the city's unique rural and coastal scenery and cultural and culinary characteristics will encourage new and existing visitors to Hong Kong.
The Chinese Manufacturers' Association of Hong Kong expressed its deep support for the Policy Address, saying that the Report was comprehensive, detailed, enterprising, and promising, effectively responding to the recent demands of all sectors of the community, and making precise efforts to actively plan the layout of the policy, demonstrating a strong determination to "keep making progress, recognizing change, and seeking change".
CMA: Open a new economic growth point
The Policy Address proposes the establishment of four cross-policy co-ordination mechanisms led by the Secretary for Discipline and Deputy Secretary for Justice, namely the Committee on Education, Science and Technology and Human Resources, the Working Group on the Development of Low-Altitude Economy, the Working Group on the Development of Tourism Hotspots and the Working Group on Promoting the Silver Economy. CMA hopes that the Working Group will give full play to the Government's role as a leader, facilitator and participant in economic development, drive the development of high-potential industries such as low-altitude economy, silver economy and high-quality tourism, and open up new growth points for Hong Kong's economy.
In order to actively respond to the country's new development philosophy, the Policy Address proposes to develop new quality productive forces in accordance with local conditions. The CMA would like to thank the Government for its positive response to the industry's demand for stepping up the formulation of the Industrial Development Blueprint for Hong Kong, proposing to formulate a medium- and long-term development plan for Hong Kong's new industries, and promoting the establishment of the Hong Kong New Industrial Development Alliance. The CMA also welcomes the HKSAR Government's continued investment in the I&T industry, including the establishment of a $10 billion "I&T Industry Guidance Fund" and the enhancement of the "I&T Venture Fund".
: Assist the industry to expand into new markets
The Policy Address proposes a series of measures to consolidate and enhance the status of the International Trade Centre, some of which adopt the Council's recommendations. At present, Hong Kong's economy is in a bottleneck position, and it needs to strive for reform and give full play to the advantages of the "one country, two systems" system, so as to enable Hong Kong's economy to develop sustainably and help the industry expand into new markets.
The association said that it has been striving for the government to increase its support for the development of cross-border e-commerce for many years, and it is glad to see that it is also mentioned in the policy address to inject 1 billion yuan into the "BUD Special Fund" to expand the geographical funding scope of "e-commerce" to the 10 ASEAN countries.
As a trade association of importers and exporters, the company is encouraged by the Government's emphasis on enhancing the development of the Hong Kong International Trade Centre, and mentioned in the Policy Address the measures to build a high value-added supply chain service centre and establish a bulk trading ecosystem, bringing together relevant enterprises to settle in Hong Kong and seize opportunities as an operational centre for international bulk commodity trading, warehousing and delivery, shipping and logistics, and risk management.
Federation of Industry: Seeking progress and innovation opportunities
The Federation of Hong Kong Industries welcomes the policy address's acceptance of the industry's suggestions to formulate a medium- and long-term development plan for Hong Kong's new industries, and strongly supports the government in promoting the establishment of the "Hong Kong New Industrial Development Alliance", which is conducive to the establishment of a platform for close collaboration among the government, industry, academia, research and investment, which is conducive to the implementation of scientific research results and provides financing opportunities.
FHKI agrees with the various reform proposals mentioned in the Policy Address to strengthen the cross-policy co-ordination mechanism and the forward-looking policy direction with an industry-oriented approach, all of which are conducive to the diversification of Hong Kong's industries and the exploration of new growth points for the recovering economy.
FHKI Chairman Chong Tsz-hung pointed out that the new Policy Address put forward a number of reform proposals, demonstrating the HKSAR Government's hard-working attitude of seeking progress and change, and striving for excellence, and the industry is very excited about this.
HKTDC: Strengthen the functional advantages of the "Eight Centers".
The Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) welcomes the series of measures proposed in the Policy Address covering economic and trade development, people's livelihood, and the attraction of high-end talents and youth development.
Mr Peter Lam, Chairman of the HKTDC, said, "The new Policy Address covers a wide range of areas, including economic growth, attracting investment, supporting small and medium-sized enterprises, as well as cultural and creative industries and infrastructure planning. ”
As for the reduction of the liquor duty, Lam believes that it will help drive the relevant trade and further promote Hong Kong as a wine trading hub in the region.
Politics refers to the report
Be down-to-earth and pragmatic
In response to the Policy Address, a number of political parties and politicians said that the report was close enough and willing to accept many demands, and that it was a very comprehensive and pragmatic report.
DAB expressed its support and welcome to the new Policy Address. Photo by reporter Ye Jiaheng
DAB: Positive and enterprising
DAB believes that this report reflects the HKSAR Government's proactive and enterprising efforts.
The Chairman of DAB, Mr Albert Chan, believes that the report is positive and prudent, promotes the development of various fields, and uses the economy as the main axis to consolidate and enhance Hong Kong's status as an international financial centre, shipping and trade centre, as well as to build Hong Kong into a highland for international high-end talents. DAB Legislative Council member Cheng Wing-shun praised the policy address for setting out a roadmap and timetable for "bidding farewell to the flat", and looked forward to holding a meeting with the authorities as soon as possible to discuss the implementation and legislative details, as well as setting the standard for legal "simple housing".
The Federation of Trade Unions believes that this policy address can focus on "reviving the economy and benefiting people's livelihood". Photo by reporter Ye Jiaheng
The Federation of Trade Unions: Effectively respond to social concerns
Wu Qiubei, president of the Federation of Trade Unions, said that the new policy address can focus on "revitalizing the economy and benefiting people's livelihood", and it is a report that effectively responds to the concerns of Hong Kong society. The Hong Kong Federation of Trade Unions will give full support to the HKSAR Government's policy and affirm the Government's reforms. It hopes that the Government will do more to improve labour treatment and labour policies.
Economic and Democratic Federation: Reform and development together
The Economic Democratic Federation used the 16-character "advancing with the times, recognizing changes and seeking changes, reforming and innovating, and bringing prosperity to Hong Kong" to evaluate the policy address. Lu Weiguo, chairman of the Economic and Democratic Federation, believes that this report is in line with the theme of "reform and development, benefiting the people's livelihood and building a future", and is consistent with the concept of all-out economic development and pragmatic improvement of people's livelihood put forward by the Economic and Democratic Federation this year.
The New People's Party hopes to integrate innovative thinking into the Bay Area
The New People's Party believes that the new policy address provides a lot of content, and it is very timely to tell the story of China and Hong Kong. The New People's Party will also set up an external liaison group to actively do a good job in external liaison. In terms of integration into the Greater Bay Area, the New People's Party hopes that the SAR Government will have innovative thinking.
Legislative Council member Liu Cheung Cheung said that the report fully reflects the HKSAR Government's determination to take the initiative to "recognize, adapt and seek changes" and lead Hong Kong society to deepen reform and self-improvement. In the long run, Liao believes that in response to the requirements of the Third Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China for Hong Kong to build three centres and one highland, as well as to develop new quality productivity, the report makes a breakthrough in introducing a subdivided unit rental system for residential buildings, which has solved the long-standing and deep-seated housing problem, and demonstrates the government's commitment to improving people's livelihood.
The official website says that it has been fully strengthened
Hong Kong's advantages
The latest Policy Address has been highly praised by the political and business circles. The Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Chan Kwok-ki, described the report as comprehensively strengthening Hong Kong's own advantages, charting the course for Hong Kong's future development and creating opportunities. Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po said that the reduction of taxes on spirits would help high-end trade. The Secretary for Justice, Mr Paul Lam, said that the Department of Justice would implement the relevant measures at full speed.
Chen Guoji: Seize the opportunity to meet the challenge
Mr Chan said that the Policy Address would consolidate and enhance Hong Kong's status as an international financial, shipping and trade centre, and explore new growth points.
Chan Kwok-ki said on social platforms that the report will continue to implement the "four hopes" of President Xi Jinping's important speech on July 1, 2022, as well as the important spirit of the Third Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee. Chan Kwok-ki believes that it is necessary to consolidate and enhance its advantages while developing new quality productive forces, and report on an all-round layout to consolidate and enhance Hong Kong's status as an international financial, shipping and trade centre, and explore new growth points, while promoting the upgrading and transformation of traditional industries, actively cultivating emerging industries, and achieving high-quality economic development.
Chen Maobo: Integrity and innovation, the courage to reform
Mr Chan said the Policy Address proposed a series of measures to promote "reform and development" in the society and enhance Hong Kong's competitiveness.
Chan Mo-po said that Hong Kong is in a critical period of economic transformation, and the report is upright, innovative, and courageous in reform, and proposes a series of measures to promote social "reform and development" in the spirit of accurate recognition, scientific response, and initiative to change, so as to enhance Hong Kong's competitiveness and further give full play to Hong Kong's role and function as a "super connector" and "super value-added person".
For example, in terms of finance, we will further optimize the securities market and establish an international gold trading market; In terms of I&T development, such as the establishment of the I&T Industry Guidance Fund and the establishment of the third InnoHK R&D Platform; In terms of trade, it proposes to establish an ecosystem for bulk commodity trading and build a high value-added supply chain service centre to attract more enterprises to set up international headquarters in Hong Kong.
Lam Ting-kwok: Strengthen legal cooperation between the Mainland and Hong Kong
Lam Ting-kwok said that the report reiterates that Hong Kong's common law system is one of Hong Kong's institutional advantages under "one country, two systems". He pointed out that the five major policy priorities related to the Department of Justice include strengthening and enhancing Hong Kong's status as a regional centre for international legal and dispute resolution services through the training of international legal talents, strengthening the promotion of mediation services, and building a sports dispute resolution system. To facilitate the development of new quality productivity, the Department of Justice (DoJ) will promote LawTech; It will also deepen co-operation in the Greater Bay Area through measures such as strengthening legal co-operation between the Mainland and Hong Kong.
Source: Hong Kong Commercial Daily
Reporter: Ye Jiaheng, Feng Renle
Editor: Le Zhao
Cover: He Jie
Proofreader: Zhuo Ling
Review: Oriole
Executive Producer: Yushan