The budget's earth-tone cover symbolizes Hong Kong as a fertile place, Paul Chan said.
"I believe Hong Kong is still a fertile piece of land," Chan said in a play on present conditions in the SAR.
"The quality of its crops, however, depends on the seeds we sow and the way we cultivate and irrigate it," said Chan, citing challenges the SAR faces.
Hong Kong has had an extraordinary year, facing local protests and changes in the international environment.
"Social unrest and turbulence have revealed deep-seated conflicts in our community, which cannot be resolved overnight," Chan said. And those conflicts must be resolved patiently and carefully as they have far-reaching impact on the SAR's stability and development.
"Even if we have been disappointed, we can choose to feel hopeful for our future," Chan added. "Even if we are striving for different goals we can work together to put aside our differences, make room for resolving conflicts, and drive Hong Kong forward.
"I believe that no matter our backgrounds, beliefs and aspirations we all cherish and love Hong Kong."
Chan went through his fourth budget speech with barely a ripple.
That was in marked contrast to Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor trying to deliver her policy address in October in the legislative chamber.
She was heckled by lawmakers as she began her address and eventually left to deliver it in a video broadcast - a first for Hong Kong.
Chan's fiscal blueprint for 2020-2021 was over in 1 hours with no interruptions at all - a rare quiet time. No protest props were waved in his face, and lawmakers did not yell.
Only a small number of protesters gathered outside the legislative complex before Chan's address started at 11am.
The Federation of Trade Unions demanded the establishment of an emergency fund for the unemployed and for a lowering of home rents.
Civil Force wanted an expansion of the anti-epidemic fund and called for top officials to accept pay cuts with the saved money to go into the fund.
Executive Council member Regina Ip Lau Suk-yee, a legislator and head of the New People's Party, said she would not mind taking a pay cut if Lam took the lead.
On whether the handouts would help some political parties in the legislative election in September, Ip said handouts came as a result of consensus among political parties so they would not provide particular help to the pro-establishment camp.
