The chief executive election is not simply a matter of who wins, or about gaining the highest popularity ratings. It should also be a time for all sectors of society to ponder the city's future direction. It is crucial that candidates present clear visions and sound policy platforms for broad debate.
Where does Hong Kong stand at present? It has many enviable achievements - its international financial centre, air-transport hub, free-market economy, efficient civil service and low corruption rate. In the past decade, the World Bank Institute's governance benchmarks have continued to place Hong Kong high up in five of six key indicators - political stability, government effectiveness, regulatory quality, rule of law and control of corruption. Along with Singapore, it leads other developed economies in Asia. Only in 'voice and accountability' is it lagging, but it still scores higher than Singapore.
Yet this is no cause for complacency. Last year, the World Economic Forum rated Hong Kong only 11th on global competitiveness; Singapore was 5th. Hong Kong still faces tough challenges from other developed economies.
Since 1997, the government has injected more funds into education, and set up a Quality Education Fund, an Innovation and Technology Fund, and a Small and Medium Enterprises Funding Scheme. But we continue to face problems of competitiveness, skills deficiency and innovation. Have the past schemes not been sufficiently focused?
More importantly, people's quality of life is perceived to be on the decline. As a Bauhinia Foundation Research Centre report pointed out, per capita gross domestic product in 2005 still lagged behind that of 1997, while wages for lower-skilled and unskilled jobs remain below 1998 levels.
The proportion of the population in 'low-income households' has risen from 15 per cent in 1996 to 17.7 per cent in 2005. Income distribution has become more uneven. Domestic violence and suicide rates among the younger population are on the rise. More people are concerned about the deteriorating environment.
Sentiment is mixed about the state of society and some feel despair. Thus, when the chief executive recently said that the city was having its best time in 20 years, many disagreed.
