As a gesture of its departure from positive non-intervention, the government has identified six key industries as new growth engines for Hong Kong's future development. If the administration pursues this policy in earnest, it might be the beginning of an industrial policy for the government, and a new direction for the economy.
Yet, following the pronouncement in the chief executive's policy address last October, there are few concrete measures so far - just empty words. The sincerity of the government is again in question. Does it mean what it says?
Last week, the government finally offered some land to be used for private hospitals and private universities. This is a good sign that it will deviate from its previous position of not selling public resources cheaply. But, again, does it mean what it says?
A case in point is the now well-established Shue Yan University, a private university that steadfastly refused government funding to uphold its mission and a four-year curriculum when the prevailing one was three years. It has been negotiating with the administration for years for the empty government plot next to its current premises in Braemar Hill, North Point.
With more than 4,000 students enrolled, it has only 500 dormitory places and no room for research facilities to match its current status as an accredited university.
From what I understand, the government pledged to give Shue Yan this plot as far back as 2007, to build an additional complex hosting its graduate schools, teaching facilities and student accommodation. So far, nothing has materialised.