One city, two realities: how will Hong Kong’s John Lee respond in policy address?
City’s leader is facing test of advancing economic reforms while rescuing ailing businesses and improving livelihoods ahead of policy address
With Hong Kong leader John Lee set to deliver his annual policy address on September 17, the Post examines key topics the chief executive is expected to focus on, including a mega infrastructure project near the border, new economic drivers and livelihood issues.
Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu will have to confront a curious picture of Hong Kong’s economic landscape as he delivers his annual policy address next week, one in which fintech and digital sectors are roaring and the other where traditional retail businesses are reeling.
In a sleek 3,000 sq ft grade A office in Admiralty, lawyer Dan Ronald Leung Wai-tsun, 37, is brimming with ambition to reform Asia’s economy via tokenised financial products.
As CEO of the newly founded Esperanza Fintech, which offers gold and security tokens for live entertainment and other projects, Leung lauded his firm’s progress since kick-starting it last summer.
“Within five months, we successfully obtained three key licences and registrations from different government departments, including gold dealer registration, trusts service licence for holding tokens for clients and asset management licence for trading of tokens,” he said.
“The Hong Kong government has high efficiency and is well equipped to assist market participants.”