Sail smooth ride amid high tide: John Lee's National Day speech embraces changes for better future

Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu and senior government officials attended a flag-raising ceremony and a National Day reception on Wednesday (Oct 1), celebrating the 76th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China.

Lee and his wife, Janet Lee Lam Lai-sim, arrived at the ceremony around 7.50am, before the flag escort platoon carried the national and SAR flags to the flagpole at 8am at Golden Bauhinia Square. 

Former Chief Executives Leung Chun-ying and Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor, Hong Kong Liaison Office Director Zhou Ji, and Legislative Council President Andrew Leung Kwan-yuen attended the ceremony, which concluded at 8.04am. 

Community leaders and members of uniformed groups also attended the ceremony, while former Chief Executive Tung Chee-hwa was absent from the ceremony and reception for the fifth consecutive year.

Speaking at the reception, Lee quoted an ancient Chinese poem -- With high tide and tailwind, it is time to sail a smooth ride -- and noted that Hong Kong is moving through an irreversible economic transition amid rapid changes arising from fast scientific advancement and global changes, but it's an "essential process for a more robust economy in the future."

"I am confident that by working together, innovating and embracing reforms, we will turn our beloved Hong Kong into an even better home for everyone. The Pearl of the Orient will keep shining brighter than ever before," he stressed.

He emphasized that the government will spare no effort in three key areas, including making full preparations for the upcoming General Election for the eighth-term Legislative Council on December 7.

He stressed that his ultimate governance objective is to improve people's livelihoods, noting that the median household income has increased by 11 percent over the past three years.

However, he also acknowledged that the benefits of economic development have not been evenly shared across society, with certain sectors such as finance and trade experiencing faster growth.
    
The third priority, he added, is to swiftly address livelihood issues and implement the policies and principles outlined in the Policy Address.

Furthermore, he emphasized that Hong Kong's ranking as a global financial center rose by one place last year, making it the world's third-ranked global financial center.

Hong Kong has also climbed four spots to rank third globally in overall competitiveness, advanced twelve places to fourth in talent competitiveness over the past two years, and was ranked seventh among the world's top ten safest cities.

"I am confident that by working together, innovating and embracing reforms, we will turn our beloved Hong Kong into an even better home for everyone," Lee said.