Chief Executive Donald Tsang Yam-kuen, saying rising inflation had made these 'difficult times', told lawmakers the financial needs of people would outweigh the interests of shareholders when the government considered a rise in fees for public services.
Mr Tsang focused on livelihood issues in his opening remarks in yesterday's question-and-answer session at the Legislative Council, a concern echoed by most lawmakers' queries.
Mr Tsang vowed to scrutinise even more carefully any applications for fee rises for public services.
'Let me pledge to all of you, the government will do its best to act out its role as gatekeeper ... between the shareholders, and the interests of the general public. We will find the appropriate balance,' Mr Tsang said.
But unionist lawmaker Lau Chin-shek pressed him further, asking: 'What's the difference between that and the past? Hasn't [balancing those interests] always been government policy? With inflation as high as it is now, will you have the interests of the general public in your heart - placed above the interests of shareholders?'
Mr Tsang responded: 'Yes, I will.'
