C.Y. targets four most urgent problems facing Hong Kong

Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying yesterday took aim at what he termed four deep-rooted problems plaguing Hong Kong, in a speech to Legco that amounted to a mini policy address.

Identifying the issues as housing, the environment, poverty and the elderly, he said sustained and higher economic growth was needed to provide the resources to tackle them.

On housing, he said measures already introduced to stabilise the property market were only the start and he had more he could launch as needed "just by making a phone call".

Leung stood firm against calls for concessions in the means test for the new old-age allowance but promised to study a possible universal retirement protection scheme - a pledge certain to trigger a heated debate.

Breaking tradition, Leung delayed his first policy address from this month until January, saying it will give the government more time to consult lawmakers. But yesterday he presented a de facto policy address without fresh policy initiatives.

He spelled out his governing philosophy, such as a more proactive role in economic development, and elaborated on his positions on such thorny issues as the relationship between Hong Kong and the mainland.