Described by pundits as a light meal, the second policy address by Chief Executive Donald Tsang Yam-kuen then served a heavy dessert. In his conclusion, Mr Tsang reiterated that dropping the term 'positive non-interventionism' was not 'a shift' or 'a U-turn in our policy'.
He recapped the history of the term coined by Sir Philip Haddon-Cave, financial secretary in the early 1980s. Although the term was no longer used, Mr Tsang said: 'The underlying philosophy has remained unchanged for the past 30 years.'
Compared with his light touch and no-nonsense approach on contentious issues, Mr Tsang's remarks on positive non-interventionism are intriguing.
He said: 'We do not engage in ideological debate or utopian social projects ... For the sake of effective governance, I have always believed that we have to keep our feet firmly on the ground, and not be hamstrung by ideology or slogans.'
Nevertheless, Mr Tsang has hinted of a possible adjustment in economic strategy in view of globalisation and the rise of China. He added that pragmatic and concrete discussion on the government's role in various economic sectors was warranted. He urged the community to discuss 'when and to what extent the government should ever intervene in the market'.
His remarks prompted executive councillor Tsang Yok-sing to ask Mr Tsang to share his thinking on the issue at a question-and-answer session in the Legislative Council on Thursday. Exco's Mr Tsang cited the development of the film industry as a case for the chief executive to explain 'when and to what extent' the government should intervene.
The chief executive agreed it was a good case for public debate on the role of government. Referring to some proposals for developing the film industry, without specifying which ones, he expressed concern some might have already gone beyond what the government should do.