Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu speaks to the media ahead of an Executive Council meeting on May 30, 2023. (PHOTO / HKSAR GOVERNMENT)

HONG KONG – Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu expressed his hope on Tuesday that the policy unit of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government will make up for lost time to achieve the greatest results within the shortest period.

Speaking ahead of the weekly Executive Council meeting, Lee said he had invited experts and experienced people from different sectors to join the unit and formulate policies.

On the same day, the government announced the establishment of the chief executive's policy unit expert group and the appointment of 56 members. The group comprises members of different backgrounds including business, finance, professionals, think-tanks and academia to provide expert views and new ideas to the unit concerning various topics.

The expert groups included economic advancement expert group, social development expert group and research strategy expert group.

“I hope the new members to give policy suggestions in three areas, including social development, economic development, and strategic studies,” Lee said.

“As we have gone from chaos to order, I hope we can make up for the lost time within the shortest time frame and achieve maximum results. I am looking for policies that can cover the short, medium and long terms to create positive results for Hong Kong.”

‘Endless good stories to tell’

As we have gone from chaos to order, I hope we can make up for the lost time within the shortest time frame and achieve maximum results. I am looking for policies that can cover the short, medium and long terms to create positive results for Hong Kong.

John Lee Ka-chiu, Chief Executive

Meanwhile, Lee said there were “endless good stories” to tell about Hong Kong following the full resumption of cross-boundary travel, as he reviewed the trips he and other principal officials made over the past week for talent exchanges and business opportunities.

He said he met with ten Chinese mainland officials and attended various high-level events in Guangzhou and Shenzhen.

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Lee also met three foreign leaders, including President of the Democratic Republic of the Congo Felix-Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo on Monday.

Both mainland officials and overseas leaders expressed their confidence in Hong Kong and reached a consensus for enhanced collaboration in various fields, he said.

Six other officials also paid visits to the mainland and abroad over the past week to boost cooperation and explore opportunities, he added.

Accusations against NSL

On accusations that the National Security Law was broad and unclear, Lee stressed it was incorrect to say the NSL was not clearly defined as all types of offenses were clearly spelled out in the law.

"There are four types of offenses that the Hong Kong National Security Law covers, and all the ingredients of the offenses are clearly spelled out in the law itself. It will be up to the individuals to really look at the different elements of the offenses, which are clearly stated." Lee said.

“Everybody should act in accordance with the law, think of what they do, so as to be ready to face the consequences.”

APEC meeting

Regarding the city’s participation in the APEC (Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation) meetings in the United States in November, Lee stressed that the international organization did not belong to just one country and had its own regulations.

“According to APEC rules and conventions, the organizer has the responsibility to invite members to attend. Hong Kong, China has been a member of APEC, and has been taking part in APEC conferences in accordance with APEC rules and conventions. It is up to the organizer to act in accordance with these conventions,” he said.

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Crowdfunding

Asked about the regulations for crowdfunding, Lee said the Financial Services and the Treasury Bureau was sorting out suggestions and would make a comprehensive study.

The bureau would also draw references from other jurisdictions and announce the details in the Legislative Council, he added.