Leung Chun-ying has Hong Kong on his mind in Tianjin
Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying had Hongkongers' housing needs in mind on his first official visit to Tianjin yesterday. He also pledged that his cabinet members would listen to the voices of Hongkongers in the mainland, as they were "members of the Hong Kong family".
Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying had Hongkongers' housing needs in mind on his first official visit to Tianjin yesterday.
He also pledged that his cabinet members would listen to the voices of Hongkongers in the mainland, as they were "members of the Hong Kong family".
Leung, who is on a five-day visit to the mainland, made his first stop at the Tianjin Planning Exhibition Hall, which showcases the city's history, geography and future developments.
He said the displays showed that "overall planning and land resources were very important" to urban planning, suggesting that Hong Kong could perhaps learn from Tianjin.
Leung said: "[My] government will do its utmost on long-term and overall planning. Property prices and rents have been surging rapidly because we are short of ... land for development - not land in general."
He also pledged to consider how to boost living conditions in Hong Kong.
"[In terms of] living area per person, we need to think of long-term and macro planning, to ensure the younger generation live more spaciously," Leung said.
Later that day, he hosted a reception for about 100 Hongkongers who study, work or do business in the region to learn about their concerns in Tianjin.
Leung pledged that whenever his cabinet members visited a major mainland city where many Hongkongers work or study, their voices would be heard.
"The administration is concerned about the life of Hongkongers ... in the mainland," he said. "Although you are not in Hong Kong, you are still a member of the Hong Kong big family."
Leung said he knew that children from Hong Kong families sometimes found schooling unsatisfactory in the mainland, as often the Hong Kong curriculum was not offered.
Leung will conclude his trip today by visiting the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, People's Bank of China, and the Securities Regulatory Commission.
