Lecturer and political scholar Ivan Choy gives his take on CY Leung’s speech
IVAN CHOY
PUBLISHED : Wednesday, 13 January, 2016, 2:57pm
UPDATED : Wednesday, 13 January, 2016, 3:54pm
The chief executive’s speech gave Hongkonger’s many sweet little tidbits but not much of value, says lecturer and political scholar Ivan Choy Chi-keung. Photo: SCMP Pictures
Ivan Choy Chi-keung is a senior lecturer and prominent scholar at the Chinese University Hong Kong, with expertise on Hong Kong politics and leadership.
I think it’s obvious that One Belt, One Road is the focal point in this policy address. On the one hand, Leung is touting it as an economic development opportunity for Hong Kong, and on the other hand he is catering to Xi Jinping.
Leung uses One Belt One Road – and how much Hong Kong can play a part – with him as the head of the administration.
His will to run for chief executive is obvious. And we all know that whether he can do so or not, will depend on whether the mainland Central Government gives the nod.
READ MORE: One speech, one belt, and wi-fi for all: CY Leung’s policy address reviewed
Supporting One Belt One Road can help him in both ways – to show Hongkongers how he will help the city grasp chances for economic development, but more so to show how accommodating he is to Xi’s will.
I believe Leung has the will to tackle housing – it is after all at the centre of his policies in his tenure. But he has made all his policy measures, and we can only wait and see whether they’ll work well.
On a whole, the government is rich, so for problems that can be dealt with using money, he’s tried to do – like with education. But when it comes to anything requiring more than just money, he’s unable to deliver at all.
It’s obvious that when dealing with issues where the government needs to negotiate a compromise in civil society, it fails to accomplish anything.
READ MORE: Hong Kong leader reveals details of the city’s game plan for One Belt, One Road strategy
When it comes to important issues – issues close to Hongkongers’ hearts and important to the long-term development of the city – which need political leadership and will, he’s failed to achieve.
Issues he promised from the beginning to deal with – some major labour policies like standard working hours and MPF offsetting scheme, retirement protection and environmental policies – aren’t even off the drawing board.
He can’t even blame it on filibustering – these issues haven’t even gotten to that stage!
This will make people seriously doubt his ability to do anything that really matters, if he runs again for chief executive.
There are a lot of little sweet tidbits in this policy address, but when it comes to the things that people have high expectations about, there is nothing.
http://m.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/1900634/one-speech-two-motives-what-lies-behind-hong-kong-chief
