Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam hints at government restructuring, new bureaus on land, cultural issues

Chief executive tells a consultation session the two issues are ones she ‘cannot avoid’ in her coming policy address

However, she also seeks to manage expectations for any big ticket projects, saying ‘the government’s resources are limited’

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Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam appears at a consultation session on Sunday organised by RTHK ahead of her last policy address. Photo: Handout

Published: 5:00pm, 12 Sep 2021Updated: 12:48am, 13 Sep 2021

Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor has hinted at a government restructuring ahead of the chief executive race, saying the establishment of new bureaus to coordinate on land use and oversee cultural matters is a subject she “cannot avoid” in her policy address next month.

But the chief executive on Sunday also downplayed the likelihood of any big spending projects being unveiled in the coming developmental blueprint, citing limited resources and the massive investments already in place, despite signs of a gradual recovery of the city’s pandemic-stricken economy.

“This looks like an issue which I cannot avoid in the policy address this year,” Lam said, when asked about land and cultural policies at a consultation session organised by public broadcaster RTHK, one of the last before her policy address on October 6.

“If there are a lot of things on my plate, such as pioneering for the future, increasing the land supply, building housing, is the current structure of the government the most ideal one?”

Land policy has become a priority after repeated calls from Beijing for the city to address its long-running housing issues. Photo: Sun Yeung

Lam said her administration’s structure was identical to that of the previous one because the political climate when she took office did not allow for drastic reforms. But after Beijing’s recent overhaul of the city’s electoral system, a window of opportunity had emerged, she added.

The overhaul’s supporters have touted the changes as ensuring only “patriots” will govern Hong Kong, but critics have accused them of snuffing out dissent.