Donald Tsang Yam-kuen yesterday dismissed recent criticism that, with less than two years in office, he would become a lame-duck chief executive.
Speaking in his first district consultation session for next month's policy address, in Tsim Sha Tsui, he said: 'I have heard some comments that I will only be a caretaker government ... and will not proactively deal with contentious issues. I can promise everyone that, faced with ... pressing social problems, my colleagues and I will never be bystanders.'
He said he would focus on how to narrow the wealth gap - which he believed was a result of a failure by workers to take part in high-value-added industries. He also said the ageing population was one of his biggest challenges.
The session was attended by more than 200 people. Most of their questions concerned housing, with many wanting more public housing.
During a meeting with Democratic Party lawmakers earlier yesterday, Tsang was warned against reintroducing the national security bill.
Speaking afterwards, lawmaker James To Kun-sun said: 'We warned him that given the public sentiment and the progress on democracy, it would not be a suitable time for him to touch on the issue in the coming year.' Participants said that Tsang answered them by reiterating the government position that legislating to enact Article 23 - shelved in 2003 after half a million people protested - was not a current priority.