Editorial | Policy address delay puts more pressure on Carrie Lam to get it right

  • Unprecedented decision to postpone the annual speech has inevitably raised expectations that talks with leaders in Beijing will help propel Hong Kong’s economic recovery

Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam told the press on Monday that Wednesday’s policy address was not going ahead as planned. Photo: Felix Wong
Speculation abounds following the unexpected decision by Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor to postponetomorrow’s policy address, which she says will give her more time to ensure Beijing’s support for a raft of proposals aimed at economic recovery and giving the city a much-needed confidence boost. She will instead join President Xi Jinping in Shenzhen for the 40th anniversary celebrations of its establishment as a special economic zone, followed by talks in the capital later this month to flesh out cooperation details. The delay has inevitably raised expectations even higher, with all eyes focusing on what will pan out in Shenzhen and in the coming weeks.

The unprecedented move has fuelled conspiracy theories, ranging from Lam being summoned to meet Xi, to her speech having been rejected by Beijing. Others say she is putting the country ahead of Hong Kong. In any case, it does not reflect well on her leadership. She said her proposals, which involve cooperation with mainland authorities, received a positive response over the weekend for further discussion. She therefore decided to wait for more concrete results in the hope they would instil greater confidence. Lam was just being frank, but it means her address in its present form lacks substance. It would have been a failure if she had proceeded to unveil her proposals in the Legislative Council, and they may have even deepened the gloom hanging over the city.

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