Chief Executive Lee Kar-chau accepted an exclusive interview with Hong Kong 01, and talked freely about how to lead Hong Kong to "break" and "establish" in the social transformation from governance to prosperity.
In terms of "breaking", the central government rarely asks Hong Kong to "break down the barriers of fixed interests" and "break down the deep-seated social and economic contradictions". Li Jiachao believes that "this will always be a reminder" so that the SAR government can continue to improve its governance. In terms of "legislation", he will generally promote changes in Hong Kong in a safe manner, but he will moderately seek changes in the long-accumulated land and housing issues, such as proposing that "the government regains the dominant position in land supply" so that he can There will no longer be restrictions on promoting industrial policy or taking care of vulnerable interests in the future.
When asked about the dispute over land resumption and housing construction at the Fanling Golf Course, he stated that he would not escalate the conflict and would respect the decision of the previous government.
Chief Executive Lee Kar-chao Interview Series Part 5
Chief Executive Lee Kar-chau accepted an exclusive interview with Hong Kong 01, and talked freely about how to lead Hong Kong to "break" and "establish" in the social transformation from governance to prosperity.
(Photo by Liang Pengwei)
Two "broken" central government reminds to continuously improve governance
In the middle of last month (October 19), Lee Ka-chao published his first "Policy Address" under the theme of "Pursuing Happiness for the Citizens and Development for Hong Kong".
At the beginning of the interview with Hong Kong 01, he was asked whether the topic reflected his belief that "citizens are not happy enough" and "Hong Kong is not developed enough". Better", so we will strive to bring more and better changes to Hong Kong.
In fact, after experiencing the SAR governance crisis triggered by the anti-revision storm in 2019, "change" has undoubtedly become the main theme of the central government's "SAR governance". "Break down the barriers of solidified interests" and "break down the deep-seated contradictions in the economy and society."
This is not only "positive encouragement", but also "severe criticism". As the head of the SAR, Li Jiachao believes that there is always room for improvement in government governance, so the words of the central government "always serve as a reminder, so that when we solve problems, we can Hold that attitude and perception."
Li Jiachao also said that Hong Kong is now in a critical period from "from chaos to governance" to "from governance to prosperity". Lead Hong Kong to seek change while maintaining stability, and boldly seek change on some difficult issues.
One of the changes that Li Jiachao is most concerned about is the proposal in the "Policy Address" to build 30,000 "simple public housing" units in the next five years using "standard simple design" and "modular composite construction method" to be completed quickly. Opinions vary. For example, Hong Kong 01 thought it was just a stopgap measure, while some concern groups denounced it as "old wine in new bottle". However, he still insisted on using it as a priority to solve the shortage of public housing supply. He said frankly, "I only have one purpose, which is Let citizens who really want to go upstairs can go upstairs as soon as possible.”
Li Jiachao insisted on using "simple public housing" as a priority option to solve the shortage of public housing supply, and said frankly, "I only have one purpose, which is to enable citizens who really want to go upstairs to go upstairs as soon as possible."
(File photo/photo by Lao Xianliang)
Multiple means to promote the exercise of power to achieve the best results
"The government regained the dominance of land supply" is another of the most eye-catching changes of Li Jiachao. It is not only the first step in "breaking the barriers of fixed interests", but also the basic step in "breaking down deep-seated contradictions".
When asked about the ground-breaking statement of "regaining dominance", whether it is a disguised admission that the irrational and unfair allocation of land resources in Hong Kong is due to the fact that the Hong Kong government has lost a certain leading role, Li Jiachao responded: "I will not judge you. It is an adjective, but now there is a reality, we can all see that there is not enough land and land needs to be created continuously. Why is there not enough land? There are different reasons involved. Time didn't make the earth."
However, Li Jiachao emphasized that he is not commenting on the right or wrong of any policy or statement, but is stating the reality that Hong Kong must create land in order to continue to develop. When it comes to taking care of certain interests, I don't need to be restricted because I don't have land at all."
As for whether policies and laws will continue to be used in the future to demonstrate that "the government has regained the dominance of land supply", such as boldly dealing with the issue of "Ding Quan" and actively exercising the "Land Resumption Ordinance", Li Jiachao pointed out that the former must act in accordance with the "Basic Law", while the latter will "There is no need to question the government's position" because "the government will definitely use it if necessary." "The problem is that the government has the right, but when to use it and whether it is appropriate to use it is up to the current government to make a decision."
Li Jiachao emphasized that deep-seated conflicts will be resolved with multiple means, and disputes will be faced with the belief of seeking common ground while reserving differences.
(Photo by Liang Pengwei)
Seeking common ground while reserving differences to resolve the dispute over Fanling Golf Course land resumption
Li Jiachao reiterated that the "Policy Address" emphasizes the use of multiple means to solve problems, "That is to say, there are many tools in my toolbox, (hope that the society) will not focus solely on certain tools, because I am not trying to exercise this tool, Instead of using this power, it will take the maximization of Hong Kong's overall interests as its policy basis, so as to ensure that the exercise of power can achieve the best results.
When it comes to land issues that have accumulated over the years, one has to mention the dispute over the resumption of land for housing by the Fanling Golf Course. The community is generally concerned about whether the development plan will change under the pressure of vested interests.
Li Jiachao believes that there are always different opinions in the society about which "interest solidification barriers" need to be "broken" and which "deep-seated contradictions" need to be "broken", and he will not "elevate the contradictions". Greatest Common Divisor" seek common ground while reserving differences and resolve differences.
"Hong Kong is often criticized for a place where it is discussed but not decided, and it is not done." Li Jiachao continued, no matter whether the relevant decision is made by the current government or the previous government, as long as it goes through normal procedures and comprehensive consideration, And if it does not violate his governance philosophy, the authorities should respect the decision and continue to follow the established procedures.