All Hongkongers should back chief executive’s efforts to help the poor
The Hong Kong Civic Association believes it is worth supporting new Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor, who is seeking to revitalise the “one country, two systems” principle. This can enable Hong Kong, as a financial hub, and international trading and logistics centre, to contribute more fully to China’s rapid development as a global economic entity. We think many members of the silent majority share our views.
The chief executive is also seeking to enhance the living standards of Hongkongers.
Her manifesto gives ample proof of her determination to substantially improve the lot of our underprivileged, whether in public housing, poverty alleviation, education, health care, elderly care or youth development.
Our association members are all Hongkongers who hope that, during her five-year term, our lawmakers will work closely with the administration to get things done, by eliminating unwarranted filibustering and other time-wasting tactics. In so doing, they will as a whole win back the respect not only of Hong Kong people, but also of many others in the international community who want Hong Kong to prosper.
Mrs Lam will have to tread carefully as she prepares for Legco to pass the required legislation before next June, in time to allow the cross-border express rail link to Guangzhou that is targeted to open by the third quarter of 2018.
Some Legco opposition members want to block a bill on the joint checkpoint where national laws apply in a quarter of the West Kowloon terminus that would be leased back to the mainland.
Our association supports the government’s joint checkpoint plan, providing all legal technicalities are property addressed.
The business community and tourist industry support the proposal.
Also, a well-known Chinese language newspaper and a Legco political party have conducted separate polls, with both showing majority support for the co-location scheme.
In the months ahead, the government should not let up in getting a wider expression of views from other community sectors.
Having the co-location bill passed in Legco in good time will show the world we in Hong Kong want to maintain our lifestyle and values. But it will also show we are able to flexibly adapt the “one country, two systems” principle to enable Hong Kong to support China’s global economic development, in a spirit of
co-operation benefiting both nation and city.
Hilton Cheong-Leen, life president; Frederick Lynn, chairman,
Hong Kong Civic Association
