When I reflect on Chief Executive Donald Tsang Yam-kuen's election slogan: 'I will get the job done', one half of me lives in hope, the other half in trepidation. This is, after all, the government which 'got the job done' on Central reclamation, Tamar and the demolition of the Star Ferry Pier. There are few things more frightening than a government determined to 'get the job done' using a defective blueprint. Mr Tsang's election declaration speech, from February, revealed an understanding of changing values and expectations among the people of Hong Kong, and the desire to transform our city. He spoke of the need for a more open political system, one where public participation in the earliest stages of policy formulation must replace the colonial-era system of decision-making driven by government officials. He also recognised a public craving for a higher quality of life through protection and enhancement of our natural environment and heritage. Mr Tsang's election manifesto reveals someone who cares deeply about Hong Kong, someone who is thinking carefully about how to press forward with a transformation among all the complexity and vested interests - and the structural impediments of an old development model that must be unravelled in order for that transformation to be achieved. Having said that, there are three areas of concern. First, public participation in policy-making takes effort. Above all, it takes time. Does Mr Tsang have the patience? The prognosis is not good. The controversy over the planning of the Central harbourfront reveals an impatient government determined to get its way, hiding behind 'due process' - despite a clear and dramatic change in public opinion - displaying stubbornness and inflexibility, and holding defective forums masquerading as public consultation. Second, the manifesto contains a fundamental contradiction which shows that Mr Tsang, despite his emollient language, has not entirely changed his spots. While speaking of public aspirations for a cleaner environment and higher quality of life, he lays great stress on his plans for 'substantial infrastructure investment' and 'embarking on various new development areas'. Transport infrastructure that will significantly increase traffic is a depressing feature of these plans. The frontier border zone, a greenbelt area which is a treasure house of nature and heritage, is to be developed. Advance planning for new towns is to be accelerated. Mr Tsang believes infrastructure development to be 'essential for Hong Kong'. He considers it an important way to create jobs. Third, Mr Tsang has been a civil servant of exceptional intelligence and calibre. But he is now a political leader, a role that requires different and additional qualities. During the election campaign, he scorned the woolly 'vision' of his opponent and contrasted it with his own concrete goals, saying: 'I have the blueprint.' Mr Tsang should not underestimate the value of setting a vision. The transformation of Hong Kong will require statesmanship and leadership of the highest order. He must excite and inspire a new generation of Hong Kong people, not through fear of being left behind in the competition with other Chinese cities, but through optimism and confidence to take part in the creation of this new society. There is no reason why Hong Kong, with its tremendous financial resources, its dynamic and hardworking people, its position on mainland China's doorstep and its unique natural assets, cannot become a pre-eminent world city. We should harness the creative energies of our citizens to find truly innovative solutions, to combine economic success with quality of life, and growth with sustainability. Markus Shaw is chairman of WWF Hong Kong
