Democrats and the Civic Party said they were disappointed by the chief executive's lack of vision and avoidance of controversial issues, but most lawmakers welcomed initiatives to help parents and reduce pollution.
The critics attacked Donald Tsang Yam-kuen for not doing enough to ensure the well-being of underprivileged workers, saying a voluntary minimum-wage charter would not work and would only cause them to suffer more.
Audrey Eu Yuet-mee, leader of the Civic Party, said steps to reduce air pollution were too small and measures to help parents struggling with their children's education were half-baked.
'He lacked vision and avoided most of the crucial issues people of Hong Kong are concerned with. He was merely waffling,' she said.
Her colleague, Alan Leong Kah-kit, who is planning to run against Mr Tsang in the chief executive election, said the chief executive had handed in 'a blank sheet' on how to revive the economy, increase democracy and build a harmonious society.
While the Democratic Party praised Mr Tsang for introducing subsidies for kindergarten pupils and taking bigger steps to cut vehicle emissions, its vice-chairman, Albert Ho Chun-yan, said Mr Tsang had shown he was not a visionary leader.
'He did not come up with any long-term vision. He only said he was an optimist and that Hong Kong is a blessed land. This is very disappointing.'