In a break with tradition, Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying (pictured) will delay his first policy address until January.
The deferral from October, the month Donald Tsang Yam-kuen deliver his annual policy blueprints, is to give the government time to build a constructive partnership with the Legislative Council that will be elected next month, Chief Secretary Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor said.
The speech is one of the biggest events in the political calendar.
Lam said: 'The only reason the chief executive decided to deliver his policy address on January 16 is that we want to have sufficient time to communicate with the legislators of the new term so that we can better understand their views and reflect them in his maiden policy address.'
The Legco election takes place on September 9.
Asked if future policy addresses in Leung's term would also be delivered in January, the Chief Executive's Office said: 'The government will take an open attitude, taking practical experience and the public's views into consideration.'
Tsang followed colonial tradition and delivered all his policy addresses in October, as did Tung Chee-hwa during his first five-year term.