I. Highlights
1. Submission to CE on the Policy Address 2015
The Chief Executive will deliver the Policy Address in Jan 2015. I wrote to the CE in November and expressed my concerns and views on it. I highlighted key areas including development plan and infrastructure, industrial development, housing and land supply, and environmental protection, and urged the Government to:
a. Development plan and infrastructure
- optimize long-term city planning, proper phasing of public works projects
- set up a dedicated committee for population policy
- formulate land supply policy to cope with short and long-term needs
- increase manpower of professional grades of the civil service
- optimize existing labor import mechanism
- implement Northeast New Territories Development with people livelihood oriented
- enhance overall planning for Lantau Island development and increase representation of the Lantau Development Advisory Committee
- speed up planning and building of the Kai Tak Sports Complex
- explore new mechanism to effectively implement infrastructure planning
b. Industrial development
- formulate balanced and visionary industry policy to promote multi-faceted economic development
- promote innovation and technology development
- enhance regional economic cooperation
- diverse education system to meet manpower needs
- formulate tourism policy with cross-sectoral coordination and regional cooperation
- adopt flexible policy to promote the cultural and creative industries
- optimize government procurement mechanism to assist local SMEs
c. Housing and land supply
- implement long-term land supply planning to suppress property speculation
- review and reform housing policy to meet needs of different sectors
- solve housing problem of young people to enhance their sense of belonging
d. Environmental protection and energy
- formulate long-term energy policy and seek cleaner fuel mix
- formulate and implement waste management policy for “waste reduction, recycling and proper disposal”
- promote energy efficiency and support local companies to install “green” facilities
- establish “Centre for Industrialization and Development of Environmental Protection Technologies” to support the development of environmental protection industry
- implement the “Regional Cooperation Plan on Building a Quality Living Area”
- promote the use of bio-diesel
e. Transport and logistics
- expand HKIA into three-runway system to maintain its aviation hub status
- improve mass transit rail network
- improve port facilities
- improve cross-border transport to meet growing demand
- support the development of logistics industry
f. Others
- rebuild rational communication and mutual trust with the community, focus on economic development to improve people's livelihood
- establish "City Safety Steering Committee" to maintain Hong Kong 's reputation as a safe city
the letter to CE (Chinese only)
2. Funding request of the artificial islands studies on hold
The funding request of the artificial islands studies was removed from the agenda at the PWSC meeting on 26 Nov 2014. The administration has to withdraw the item due to the non-cooperation movement of the pan-democrats. The artificial islands studies had already been thoroughly discussed at previous meetings but numerous motions were still raised at the meeting. Further delay would incur higher costs for the project, and will inevitably affect the long-term supply of land.
3. Storming of the LegCo Complex
A violent act of storming the LegCo Complex early in the morning on 19 Nov caused severe damage to various parts of the Complex. 41 lawmakers together held a press conference on 20 Nov to condemn such violent act and urged the police to take prompt action to arrest the culprits. The safety of LegCo members and staff working in the Complex must be ensured. Law and order must be maintained.
4. Elected Chairman of the Bills Committee on District Cooling Services Bill
The District Cooling System is one of the major infrastructure facilities in support of the sustainable and environmentally-friendly development at Kai Tak. The Administration introduced the Bill to provide for matters relating to district cooling services, including the imposition of charges for the services and other related matters. The Bill was gazetted on 26 September 2014 and introduced into the Council on 15 October 2014. A Bills Committee was formed on 25 Nov 2014 to examine the Bill. I joined the Bills Committee and was elected as the Chairman.
5. Appointed as a member of the Hospital Authority
Guided by the mission of “Helping People Stay Healthy”, the Hospital Authority collaborates with community partners to work towards the vision of “Healthy People, Happy Staff, and Trusted by the Community”. I am appointed a new member of the Authority and the appointment takes effect on 1 Dec 2014 and will last for two years until Oct 2016.
6. 2014 Mainland and Hong Kong Construction Industry Forum in Nanning
Together with a 130-member delegation, I attended the 2014 Mainland and Hong Kong Construction Industry Forum in Nanning on 10 November 2014. The delegation also met with the officials from Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region to exchange views on issues of mutual concern. The forum aims to promote exchanges between the construction industries of the Mainland and Hong Kong on innovative technology and project management. It also seeks to foster ties and co-operation between the two places.