Hong Kong chief executive CY Leung delivered his final full-year policy address today before his term ends next year. Don’t all cheer at once.
Leung spent the morning outlining the government’s plans to improve the lives of Hongkongers through advances in the financial, education, tourism, business, cultural sectors and more.
Most notable, however, was Leung’s persistent plugging of the so-called “One Belt, One Road” policy, which he mentioned a few dozen times during his speech.
Such a system, presented by the central government in 2013, sees Hong Kong positioned as the “super connector” between mainland China and the West. In what some have interpreted as blatant brown-nosing, Leung pledged his commitment to the scheme over, and over, again.
Other promises were also made, including free kindergarten for the 2017/2018 school year, consisting of a basic subsidy for three-year, and half-day services at eligible non-profit making facilities.
The government also plans to increase the teacher-pupil ratio from 1:15 to 1:11 and set up a HKD800 million Gifted Education Fund to nurture exceptional students between the ages of 10 and 18.
All that nurturing will no doubt load extra pressure on Hong Kong’s already-stressed students, but, thankfully, there are plans for the Education Bureau to increase the number of school-based psychologists. Lord knows they’ll need them.
Housing supply was also a hot button issue, with Leung insisting his government would continue to develop land in Lantau and elsewhere over the next five years to churn out 97,100 flats, 76,700 of which will be for public rental.
In health, the government is set to work with the Hospital Authority to outline a HKD200 billion 10-year development plan, resulting in 5,000 more beds and 90 new operating theatres.
In one for the animals, “the wolf” promised to implement legislative procedures to ban the import and export of elephant hunting trophies.
And in arts, HKD400 million will be earmarked for the CreateSmart Initiative to develop Hong Kong’s creative industries and develop new talent.
There’s plenty more, but we won’t bore you with the details. That’s CY’s job, for the time being.
Reader Interactions