Chief executive promises a partnership with the public to defend what makes Hong Kong such a success
Chief Executive Tung Chee-hwa yesterday committed to 'joining hands' with the people to defend Hong Kong's core values, after meeting leading professionals and academics who expressed concerns about their erosion.
Mr Tung also promised to consider taking part in open forums, where he would discuss with members of the public how to protect values such as freedom, pluralism and social justice.
The chief executive was speaking after meeting core members of a group of professionals and academics - representing more than 200 of their colleagues who signed a declaration last week saying they were 'greatly disturbed' by the increasing erosion of these values. Mr Tung promised he would launch a partnership with the public to defend what made the city successful.
'All of our existing core values are treasured by everyone in Hong Kong as they are Hong Kong's lifeline. The government is determined to join hands with [this group] and the people of Hong Kong to defend these core values,' Mr Tung said.
'We have agreed that we would continue to communicate and push for a harmonious, stable and progressive society,' he said.
Anthony Cheung Bing-leung, a City University academic, praised Mr Tung's unusually swift response to public demands.