The Chief Executive emphasized in his Policy Address 2014 that it is imperative to pursue people’s livelihood and develop the economy in tandem, showing the Government’s understanding of the importance of economic development.  The CE did bring forward a number of specific proposals in the areas of planning, infrastructure, lands and housing supply, etc. The challenge is how to effectively implement these policies and measures. 

I wrote to the CE last September and expressed my concerns and views on the Policy Address 2014. (see the link:Submission to CE on the Policy Address 2014, WK LO's LegCo Express, August-September 2013 ) Following this, my motion of “Formulating long-term infrastructure planning to promote sustainable development” was passed in the LegCo; other two amendments regarding enhancing the long-term railway service and promoting Lantau island development were passed as well. I am glad that those suggestions have got positive responses in the Policy Address 2014: a Lantau Development Advisory Committee is established to study the further development of Lantau Island and neighbouring areas, promoting the development of the North East New Territories and Hung Shui Kiu, and commencing advance works of the Sports Complex at Kai Tak in 2015. The Government will also announce soon a new railway development blueprint setting out new railway projects to be implemented after 2020. I expect the engineering industry will continue to express their views to help specify those proposals in more details. 

In order to meet the new target of providing a total of 470 000 housing units in the coming ten years, measures of changing land use, developing green zone, increasing the plot ratio and exploring underground spaces were raised in the Policy Address. I think the Government should take into account various factors such as transport facilities, community development and environment optimization when formulating lands and housing policies. Also, as there are a lot of major infrastructure and railway projects moving forward at the same time, the Government must ensure sufficient manpower to cope with the demand. To maintain professional standards and overall morale of the civil service team, I will especially urge the Government to ensure proper co-ordination and management with professional grade staff of related government departments. 

Since I was elected as a Legislator, I have been working with the science and technology sectors to urge the Government to establish a Technology Bureau so as to formulate the objectives and policies for the development of innovation and technology in Hong Kong. We welcome the government's re-initiation of the establishment of Innovation and Technology Bureau. I earnestly hope that it will receive supports from Legislators and community because innovation and technology help improve economy and people's livelihood, improve operational efficiency of industries, and enhance overall competitiveness of Hong Kong. In the long run, I think the CE ought to formulate a comprehensive and long-term industrial development strategy.  

The CE recommended increasing welfare package and recurrent social spending in his second Policy Address. I think we should help those in need, but must also establish an effective mechanism to prevent abuse of public funds and pay attention to the long-term commitment aroused. Equally important, the government 's policy must take into account the needs of different social strata. The middle class citizens, who have always borne the highest tax burden in Hong Kong, are dissatisfied with the government's neglect of their interests. We hope the budget to be announced by the Financial Secretary next month will respond to this with policies and measures to meet the expectations of the middle class. 

I welcome your opinions and suggestions concerning the Policy Address 2014 so that I can relay them to the Government. Thank you!

         The 2014 Policy Address

        《2014年施政報告》