More questions than answers in CY Leung’s policy address

Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying delivered his maiden policy address on Wednesday - yet some Hongkongers complained that he barely announced anything new.

Netizens took to their keyboards to vent their frustration at what some called a disappointing two-hour, 12-minute address that focused on housing supply, social welfare, environment and waste management, among other topics. Some thought the speech posed more questions than it answered, while others thought important issues were brushed aside.

Here, SCMP.com looks at the online reaction to Leung's speech.

ON HOUSING

What Leung said:

The top priority of the current-term Government is to tackle the housing problem... Our policy objectives for housing are to (i) assist grassroots families to secure public housing to meet their basic housing needs; (ii) assist the public to choose accommodation according to their affordability and personal circumstances, and encourage those who can afford it to buy their own homes; (iii) provide subsidised home ownership flats on top of PRH so as to build a progressive housing ladder; and (iv) maintain the healthy and steady development of the private property market, with priority to be given to meet Hong Kong permanent residents' needs.

What Hongkongers said:

Steve Dunthorne and Jennifer Ngo are journalists at the South China Morning Post.

ON POVERTY

What Leung said:

The Government will reinforce and enhance the existing three pillars, namely, private savings and family support, the social security system, and the Mandatory Provident Fund (MPF) System. The Old Age Living Allowance (OALA), to be launched in April 2013, will be an additional tier of financial assistance between the CSSA and the Old Age Allowance (OAA). 

What Hongkongers said:

ON HEALTH CARE

What Leung said:

The Government allocated additional funding of about $2.5 billion to the HA last year, raising its annual recurrent subvention to $40.4 billion. We will continue to set aside resources to strengthen our public healthcare system and enhance its service quality. The HA will add about 150 acute patient beds in the coming year. On top of this, as I mentioned earlier, we will add 130 convalescent beds and explore the option of converting Wong Chuk Hang Hospital into an institution with convalescent and infirmary services.

What Hongkongers said:

ON ARTS AND CULTURE

What Leung said:

With strong support of the Government, local arts groups and organisations have flourished in recent years, leading to a growing demand for arts administrators. The phased completion of cultural facilities of the WKCD will add to the demand. Additional funding of $150 million will be allocated to strengthen the training of arts administrators with different levels of experience in the next five years, including internships, further studies and diversified professional training.

What Hongkongers said:

ON ENVIRONMENT

What Leung said:

We must phase out old diesel commercial vehicles with greater financial incentives while putting in place more stringent regulatory measures. To meet the 2015 and 2020 emission reduction targets, I propose setting aside $10 billion as subsidies to owners of over 80 000 heavily polluting pre-Euro and Euro I to III diesel commercial vehicles in order to progressively phase out these vehicles having regard to their pollution level. The scheme will significantly reduce the overall emissions of particulates and nitrogen oxides by 80% and 30% respectively. We also propose to set a service life limit for newly registered diesel commercial vehicles at 15 years.

We will help franchised buses, taxis and minibuses reduce their emissions through retrofitting or replacing catalytic converters for these vehicles where necessary in the coming two to three years. In addition, the Government will continue to take the lead in using more electric vehicles, which have zero emission, and solicit participation from public bodies as well as leading enterprises. For example, the Government has set aside funding for franchised bus companies to try out electric buses. The Pilot Green Transport Fund is also subsidising the testing of electric taxis, coaches and goods vehicles. I hope that green transport can be widely used in Hong Kong.

What Hongkongers said:

ON EDUCATION

What Leung said:

We will work in collaboration with the education sector to tackle the impact of a changing student population. To address the transient decline in Secondary One student population in the coming few years, the Education Bureau (EDB) will implement a series of measures to help preserve our schools, the teaching force and the strengths of our education sector. These measures will help stabilise the teaching force and balance the needs and concerns of different stakeholders.

What Hongkongers said: