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Source:
https://scmp.com/comment/opinion/article/3207905/results-have-be-greater-public-benefit-hong-kong Comment
Results have to be of greater public benefit for Hong Kong
- Hong Kong leader John Lee may have had a decent first six months, but much remains to be done in terms of housing, employment, welfare protection and other livelihood issues
John Lee is seen with his wife on Saturday. Photo: ISD
The new year is a time to look forward. But for a city seeking to start a new chapter under a new leader, it is also an occasion to look back and to move forward.
Admittedly, the past six months under Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu have been a crucial turning point. Slowly and steadily, the new government is bailing the city out of the coronavirus crisis, while laying good foundations for resolving housing and other deep-seated problems.
But there are also growing expectations for more vigorous efforts to achieve further results.
Addressing the Legislative Council ahead of the Lunar New Year break, Lee did not shy away from showcasing his achievements.
They include establishing new offices to attract businesses and talent, promoting national integration and the Northern Metropolis development, as well as formulating blueprints on innovation and youth development.
The “result-oriented” leader also sought to impress by listing a series of indicators, such as having cleaned more than 650 hygiene black spots, clearing 120 obstructed alleys and enacting 20 of the 25 bills tabled since July.
His agenda for the first half of this year is just as long, but whether it can achieve its intended results remains to be seen.
Featuring a series of cross-border and overseas visits and a wealth of mega-events and promotional campaigns, there appears to be a lot to look forward to. But it takes more substantive policy initiatives to achieve concrete results.
After all, the city has been bogged down by the pandemic and political turmoil for nearly four years. The road to full recovery will be long and hard.
The chief executive thanked his team for delivering according to his requirements. Yet he conceded that there were also inadequacies. Indeed, he should also thank the public for its patience and tolerance when the pace of opening up and improvements on various policy fronts still fall short of expectations.
Lee has repeatedly stressed the need to give people a sense of gain, but many have yet to feel it in terms of housing, employment, welfare protection and other livelihood issues.
Problem solving is more than just checking off a to-do list. The government must redouble its efforts to ensure the public benefits.