STAFF REPORTERS
PUBLISHED : Thursday, 14 January, 2016, 12:16am
UPDATED : Thursday, 14 January, 2016, 9:07am
Hong Kong Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying announces his policy address at the Legco Chamber in Tamar. Photo: Sam Tsang
Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying steered clear of thorny political issues in his policy address yesterday, focusing on economic development instead as he announced ambitious plans to place Hong Kong at the centre of Beijing’s One Belt, One Road initiative.
The chief executive also committed HK$4.5 billion to various projects aimed at boosting the development of innovation and technology.
This policy speech is seen as make or break for Leung, as this is his last chance to execute a full year of initiatives before his term ends in June next year.
But as Leung devoted a whole chapter of his speech at the Legislative Council yesterday to the belt and road initiative, critics pointed out that he had yet to deliver on earlier policy promises.
Leung later clarified that he had not given up on outstanding matters such as standardising working hours and retirement protection , as work was ongoing.
By focusing on President Xi Jinping’s pet project to drive economic cooperation among Eurasian countries along the ancient Silk Road, commentators said Leung could be setting himself up for re-election next year.
Leung said he would establish a Belt and Road Office – with a steering committee chaired by himself – and liaise with mainland ministries and social sectors to facilitate its mission. He also expressed the hope that future chief executives would continue this work.
“[This year] will be a year of significant opportunities for Hong Kong’s future,” Leung said, noting that 2016 marked the start of the country’s 13th five-year plan as well as the belt and road initiative. “The government is determined to join different sectors to seize these rare opportunities that will provide fresh impetus to our long-term ... development.”
Mentioning “belt and road” 48 times in his speech, Leung promised measures including the injection of HK$1 billion into a scholarship fund to attract students from countries along the route to study in Hong Kong.
WATCH: What issues should CY Leung have talked about in his 2016 policy address according to lawmakers?
Asked later if he was trying to impress Xi, Leung replied: “If I don’t advocate something for Hong Kong, do not draw up strategies... not only the central government will blame me, the 7.5 million Hong Kong people will blame me too.”
Another economic policy highlight was Leung’s promise to invest HK$4.5 billion in innovation and technology, including a HK$2 billion fund to encourage private investment in local IT start-ups.
READ MORE: Government pledges HK$200bn developments for public hospitals
Other initiatives included the implementation of free kindergarten education and the provision of 5,000 extra beds in public hospitals as part of a HK$200 billion hospital development plan over the coming 10 years.
WATCH: Hong Kong parents react to government’s free kindergarten policy
No mention on constitutional reform was made in the wake of the rejection of the electoral package by Legco in June.
Leung’s two-hour speech was disrupted by four pan-democrat lawmakers, who were ejected after protesting over the case of missing Hong Kong booksellers, as well as undelivered promises.
Leung later told the media his administration had been in contact with mainland authorities at different levels on the disappearances of Causeway Bay Books owner Lee Bo and four associates involved in selling books banned on the mainland.
Addressing speculation that Lee might have been abducted by mainland agents, he said: “If that was the case then it would not be acceptable under the ‘one country, two systems’, ‘Hong Kong people ruling Hong Kong’ with a high degree of autonomy principle and would not be acceptable under [Hong Kong’s] Basic Law.”
The Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce welcomed Leung’s belt and road initiatives, but also noted the omission of support for small and medium-sized enterprises.
Some pro-establishment legislators joined pan-democrats in expressing dissatisfaction with the policy speech and its “over-emphasis” on the economy.
New People’s Party chairwoman Regina Ip Lau Suk-yee, a member of Leung’s cabinet, said she was disappointed that he had skirted governance problems and had failed to provide political solutions to ease tensions between mainlanders and Hongkongers.
READ MORE: One Speech, Two Motives: what lies behind Hong Kong chief executive’s policy address
Commentator Ivan Choy Chi-keung saw politicsbehind the belt and road focus.
“His will to run for chief executive is obvious. And we all know that whether he can do so will depend on whether the mainland gives the nod.”
Joyce Ng, Tony Cheung, Jeffie Lam and Jennifer Ngo
http://m.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/1901021/hong-kong-chief-executive-sidelines-politics-ride-chinas-one
