(HKSAR 25) Incoming HKSAR chief executive John Lee vows to build caring, inclusive Hong Kong
- John Lee, the incoming sixth-term chief executive of the HKSAR vowed to address deep-rooted problems such as housing and youth development with a results-oriented approach.
- Lee's political manifesto promises to formulate a comprehensive youth policy and youth development blueprint to aid their upward mobility.
Lee, who won the HKSAR's sixth-term chief executive election on May 8 with an overwhelming majority, will assume office on July 1, the 25th anniversary of Hong Kong's return to the motherland.
Over the next five years, the HKSAR government will focus on economy and people's livelihood, trying to solve the problems accumulated over the past years, while remaining vigilant about safeguarding national sovereignty, security and development interests, Lee said.
"We need to lay a solid foundation in the next five years, so that we can further develop without worry after that," he said, vowing to address deep-rooted problems, including housing and youth development during his term.
The newly appointed chief executive stressed on multiple occasions that he would handle problems with a results-oriented approach, and said he intends to ensure there is a good risk management system to deal with any potential crises that may threaten Hong Kong.
"From my point of view, development is the key to solving problems in Hong Kong," Lee said, adding that the focus of the new HKSAR administration is to promote development to benefit Hong Kong residents, so that the issues long plaguing the Hong Kong society will be gradually solved.
Over the past 25 years, Hong Kong has weathered challenges including the Asian financial crisis, the SARS epidemic and the international financial crisis, and consolidated its status as an international financial, shipping and trade center.
Lee deemed the country's support as Hong Kong's most important strength for overcoming challenges and initiating new chapters of progress.
Noting that Hong Kong serves as an effective bridge between the mainland and the rest of the world, he said the city's unique advantages should be leveraged to contribute to the development of the country.
According to the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-2025) for National Economic and Social Development, Hong Kong is being supported in establishing itself as an international center for innovation and technology, a center in the Asia-Pacific region for international legal and dispute resolution services, a regional center for intellectual property trade, and a center for cultural and art exchanges with other countries.
Hong Kong should give full play to its own advantages, enhance its international competitiveness, and better integrate into the country's overall development, Lee said.
He also said that it is the HKSAR's constitutional responsibility to achieve the Article 23 legislation under the HKSAR Basic Law.
"We will do a full legal study to ensure that local legislation can handle the national security risks that may be encountered in the future," he said.
Reflecting on the practice of "one country, two systems" in Hong Kong, Lee said he believes that over the past 25 years, the principle has been successfully implemented, albeit not without weathering some storms, "but Hong Kong became more resilient and dynamic after overcoming each of the challenges."
"We need to further improve the overall development of Hong Kong and heighten its international reputation to make the city more successful," Lee said. "This is the key objective of promoting the 'one country, two systems.'"
