Even without today's policy address, Chief Executive Donald Tsang Yam-kuen could claim early success in delivering his election pledge of better governance since succeeding Tung Chee-hwa.
Opinion polls show an across-the-board surge in satisfaction ratings with both his leadership and overall government performance. After the chronic problems of inefficiency, indecision and policy bungling under the Tung leadership, the Tsang team has shown it can make a difference on most counts.
Mr Tsang came out swiftly to condemn the brutal attack on seven-year-old Shum Ho-yin in the summer. Then, in his typical 'get-it-done' work style, he ordered the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department to find ways to make trail walking safer.
After years of impasse, the government has moved to get the West Kowloon Cultural District development ball rolling by modifying the single-developer model.
Following years of speculation about the departure of Secretary for Justice Elsie Leung Oi-sie, the administration is poised to unveil a pleasant surprise with the appointment of a young successor. Meanwhile, the government has moved to explore room for change on a number of long-standing public policies, including competition, the minimum wage and maximum working hours.
Frustrated by the dismal leadership of Mr Tung, ordinary people could breathe a sigh of relief over the return of the city's helm to capable hands.
Despite that background, the public has not been anticipating Mr Tsang's policy address with any great sense of urgency. People do not seem to think that any particular problems are in need of immediate government action.