Policy address to showcase HK's march from order to prosperity

Michael Shum

Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu's policy address will have the same green color as last year's cover to signify continuity in government policies.

Lee said he chose green to show continuity of policies and signify harmony, vitality and prosperity, showcasing that the city is marching from a place of order to one of prosperity.

"The theme of the policy address is we will reform to enhance development and build our future together," said Lee, summing up what he will deliver today before the Legislative Council.

He said he has written a new supplement for this year's address to replace the policy measures booklet used in the last two years.

"The supplement will list out various measures and background details to let people know the correlation between the two," Lee said.

He added this year's policy address was prepared over a span of three months and after 40 consultation sessions.

"I have visited different districts ... and also received around 9,500 opinion submissions to help the government determine the focus point and the priority of its policies," Lee said. "I believe that as long as everyone works hard to seize the opportunity, we will definitely reach new heights."

Lee stopped short of giving further details when asked about the key points and length of his policy address.

"I know that everybody's very keen to know about the content of the policy address," Lee said.

"You will know everything when I announce it."

Lee is delivering his third policy blueprint at Legco at 11am as his government reaches the midpoint of his first five-year term.

It will be followed by a 3.30pm news conference where he will take questions from journalists and a 7pm television forum to address the public.

Sources have said the policy address will call for reforms in Hong Kong's Sports Federation and Olympic Committee, requiring subsidized sports associations to include clauses that comply with governance guidelines to ensure effective supervision.

The address will also propose exploring the possibility of an arbitration mechanism for sports-related disputes overseen by the Department of Justice.

A ban on subpar subdivided flats, an incentive scheme to reward successful reports of public rental housing abuse, a decrease in alcohol tax and policies to facilitate the development of a low-altitude economy are among the other possibilities.

michael.shum@singtaonewscorp.com