Hong Kong has ‘golden window of development’, finance chief says, as he calls for input on coming budget
- Paul Chan says coronavirus pandemic is being effectively contained and city’s economy is gradually recovering
- Financial secretary says he has met representatives of various sectors and groups since public consultation on coming budget started last week
Hong Kong’s finance chief has called on residents to provide their input for his next budget, which he says will be instrumental in seizing opportunities to revitalise the city’s economy.
“The starting point of the forthcoming budget is how to better utilise public resources while members of the public look forward to genuine benefits brought by public policies and services,” Chan said.
He is expected to deliver the budget speech, the last in this five-year term, in February.
Chan said Hong Kong was in a “golden window” of development as the coronavirus pandemic was being effectively contained and the city’s economy was gradually recovering.
The Election Committee poll took place in September and the first Legco election under a revamped electoral system imposed by Beijing was held on December 19.
Pro-establishment camp makes nearly clean sweep in Hong Kong’s Legco poll
Under the Beijing-decreed reforms to ensure only “patriots” hold political power, the pro-establishment bloc swept all seats in last Sunday’s election – except the one taken by centrist Third Side party chief Tik Chi-yuen – to dominate the new 90-member legislature.
The number of directly elected seats was reduced from 35 to 20. All candidates had their eligibility as “patriots” determined by a vetting committee.
“The stable situation didn’t come easily. It was achieved with the efforts of the Hong Kong government under the central government’s leadership,” Chan said. “We expect Hong Kong to embrace a better tomorrow.”
