Next Hong Kong leader must engage public more, says top Beijing adviser
CPPCC delegate Anthony Wu says the top-down approach will not work and that the chief executive elected in 2017 must be prepared to talk to people
The person elected to lead Hong Kong next year should be capable of engaging the public more vigorously than the current administration has done, says a local delegate to the inner core of China’s top advisory body.
He or she should also seek to understand Hong Kong people “from Hong Kong’s perspective”, said Anthony Wu Ting-yuk, a Standing Committee member of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference.
In an exclusive interview with the Post, Wu – a supporter of former chief secretary Henry Tang Ying-yen, who lost to Leung Chun-ying in the 2012 poll – said the past few years had seen “less than enough” public engagement from the government.
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Citing the Occupy protests, he recalled visiting camps more than times to talk to protesters face to face – a contrast to most officials who had refrained from such appearances.
“The Occupy protest was right downstairs from my office. There was so much inconvenience,” Wu said. “But I did meet the students and doctors in the area, more than 10 times. I understand how they feel and what they think.”
A leader should be prepared to talk to the public, said Wu, who when chairman of the Hospital Authority would meet doctors whenever they had a grievance in order to reach a consensus.
There has been much media speculation on whether Beijing has in any way signalled whether it backs Leung for a second term next year. Vincent Lo Hong-sui, a CPPCC delegate, has shown support for the chief executive in a television interview while others have adopted a wait-and-see approach.
Engaging with the public is crucial. A top-down approach is impossible
Wu – who is an adviser on medical reforms for mainland China and also a former chairman of the Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce – stopped short of commenting on Leung’s expected re-election bid. He would only say the coming years would be so challenging that a leader with certain qualities would be desirable.
“He or she should achieve smooth administration and social harmony, with the ability to see what Hong Kong needs and understand what Hong Kong people want from Hong Kong’s perspective,” Wu said.
“Engaging with the public is crucial. A top-down approach is impossible,” he said. “Even Premier Li Keqiang asked officials to hear the people’s voice.”
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On the September polls of the Legislative Council, Wu said the new batch of lawmakers who would replace retiring ones should have a clearer vision of Hong Kong’s future.
“The need to improve the economy is imminent,” he said. “It is time for lawmakers, regardless of their political affiliation, to focus on what is in the long-term interest of the city we call home.”
