I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve met the Chief Executive, John Lee.
Back in the days when I was on external duty, every Tuesday at 9:30 a.m. he would appear on time at the underground lecture hall in the Central Government Offices. In rotation—Cantonese, Putonghua, and English—he would answer reporters’ questions. And whenever we faced a sharp-minded reporter, he never dodged the question. He would handle it calmly and take it in his stride.
After the Policy Address was released, the Chief Executive would come to visit our company—an annual routine. But this year was different. This was Hong Kong’s First Five-Year Plan, unveiled at the same time as the Policy Address. It may have been framed as an itinerary, but in reality it felt like the Chief Executive’s yearly “appointment” with us—only this time, the occasion carried particular weight.
When he finished the interview and stepped out today, all of us stood up to greet him. The Group Chairman, Li Dahong, introduced our department, "DotDotNews". I said, “We’re doing our best to tell Hong Kong’s story in English.”
John Lee gave a knowing nod and said, “That feels great.” The Chief Executive promptly raised his thumb and offered his encouragement in a warm, friendly manner.
It suddenly reminded me of something from earlier days. I said to him, “Back then, at the press conferences before the Executive Council sessions, you answered questions in English so fluently. It saved us a lot of effort cutting clips.”
He smiled when he heard that.
Before leaving, he paused again and looked around at the young faces nearby and said, “Young people are full of charm. You all look so energetic and upbeat. Take care of me in the future—I’m sure you’ll look after me really well.”
When the Chief Executive came to be interviewed, he allowed us to exchange views. But he framed it as: “You look after me.” That’s precisely the humility in him—you think you’re doing your duty, and yet he thanks you first.
The man I used to see every Tuesday at 9:30 a.m. across the table in government headquarters—cameras pointed at him, while we stood outside the line to ask questions—was a little different from the one I met here today. Today he walked over, stood right next to you, raised his thumb, and said everyone’s spirit and condition were so good.
The position at“Ta Kung Wen Wei”—“United with the motherland, standing with Hong Kong.” Only today, face to face, did I truly understand what “standing with” means. It’s not a slogan pasted on a newspaper. It’s more like this: he takes a step, we take a step. As we keep walking, we really find ourselves standing together.
Especially this year, because what his government brought us was Hong Kong’s First Five-Year Plan.
He praised our good spirits, so we’ll work hard—together.
（Reporter: Lynn Zhou）
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