By Lusan Hung
The sole candidate Mr. John Lee Ka Chiu in Hong Kong's 2022 Chief Executive election unveiled his manifesto on April 29, 2022. Using the title "Starting a New Chapter for Hong Kong Together", Mr. Lee announced his manifesto in front of a live audience including representatives from a local community and grass roots organisations. A Government of the people, by the people and for the people. Mr. Lee's forum was a deliberate act to show that he is reaching out to the people and that this is the way forward if he were to lead the next government.
Mr. Lee's vision is broken down into four tenets: Strengthening governance capability and tackling pressing livelihood issues; streamlining procedures and providing more housing and better living; enhancing competitiveness and pursuing sustainable development; and building a caring and inclusive society as well as enhancing upwards mobility for youths. The problems faced by Hong Kong have long been there and many of them have worsen over time. While some critics are suggesting Mr. Lee's manifesto is seen as "putting old wine in a new bottle", perhaps a more positive interpretation is old problems solved in new ways. It is hoped that our next chief executive leads the society to tackle these ongoing "old" problems headon in a new style, with a new team and in a new way.
Of the many tenets, Mr. Lee emphasizes that the society should solve the problems together. He suggests strengthening the government's communications with district grassroots organisations, a move that is in sync with the establishment of the Third Sector in the Election Committee which gives grassroot citizens a voice to choose their future leaders. He also suggests set up a "District Services and Community Care Teams" in the 18 districts with a network of volunteers to support the government's district work, such as during pandemics, typhoons or floods; a move that responded to community needs as witnessed in the 5th wave pandemic. On daily basis, these teams can carry out caring activities to cater for the elderly and underprivileged groups as well as community mutual assistance, so as to increase social capital and community cohesion, a move that many grassroot organisations and community associations have already been actively filling in the gaps in servicing locals in needy times. Indeed, Hong Kong has seen deteriorated community services and bonding, a result of the increasingly politicized district councils, community wealth gap as well as a disconnect with our country and the HKSAR Government . Hence, Mr. Lee's focus in society unity is a positive move and should be widely welcome by the public.
With the setting up of the Task force on Public Housing Projects and a Steering Committee on Land and Housing Supply, it is genuinely hoped that our long awaiting queue for public housing can be shortened. The proposed manifesto is pragmatic in the sense that while the Government is making its best efforts to serve, people need to cooperate too. Afterall, it takes two to dance.
Providing employment opportunities to youths, cultivating a caring and inclusive society for the elderly and the underprivileged as well as enhancing the education system are much needed policies that will enable sustainable and healthy growth of our society for the future.
Mr. Lee's manifesto is likened to a Policy address covering other areas including improving governance capabilities and efficiencies, enhancing coordination and execution and improving Hongkong's financial capabilities, although many details have yet to come to light. Nonetheless, we should have faith in the one and only candidate and we should give him a reasonable timeframe to unfold those details.
Hong Kong needs a community that is united so as to progress forward socially and economically. "We love Hong Kong" is an act by those who really do care, not a mere slogan by the Government nor its people. Let's all work together to start a new chapter for Hong Kong.
The author is from Shandong Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference.
The views do not necessarily reflect those of DotDotNews.
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