Updated at 4.42pm: Hong Kong faced three key future challenges, Chief Executive Donald Tsang Yam-kuen said in concluding his policy address on Wednesday.
?The first challenge is how to sustain economic development. I have recently noticed that some in the community regard economic development and environmental/cultural conservation as mutually exclusive,? he said.
Mr Tsang said this was dangerous thinking. ?In my view, the pursuit of social advancement is a holistic concept that should be people-oriented, comprehensive, well co-ordinated, harmonious and sustainable.
?In the process, attention should be paid not only to the pace, but also to the promotion of the well-being of the people, society and the environment, as well as the economy.?
Mr Tsang said the well-being of the environment was about resource conservation and sustainable development.
?To attain these progressive goals, however, we must keep up the momentum of economic growth, otherwise this is all empty talk and we shall lack the resources to make things happen,? he said.