Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu attends a question-and-answer session for the 2023 Policy Address at the Legislative Council in Hong Kong on Oct 26, 2023. (ANDY CHONG / CHINA DAILY)

Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region John Lee Ka-chiu said that his latest policy address incorporated a significant number of legislators' perspectives, showing the positive outcomes resulting from constructive interaction and exchanges between the executive and the legislature, following the improvements made to the electoral system.

By embracing a wide range of views, the policy address enhances the value of an executive-led approach and reinforces the principle of “patriots administering Hong Kong”, Lee said during a question-and-answer session at the Legislative Council on Thursday morning.

Hong Kong is a unique city that enjoys the advantages of Chinese mainland and the international community, Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu said, adding that the advantage of strong support from the country would bring abundant opportunities to the city

On Wednesday, Lee unveiled his second policy blueprint, highlighting initiatives to promote patriotic education, encourage childbearing, attract talents and relax property curbs for the first time in a decade. He also expressed a commitment to uphold the principle of “one country, two systems”, pledging to launch a series of measures to strengthen the economy and improve people’s livelihoods.

Hong Kong is a unique city that enjoys the advantages of Chinese mainland and the international community, Lee said, adding that the advantage of strong support from the country would bring abundant opportunities to the city.

Lee proposed in the Policy Address to establish more offices for business and trade in countries and regions participating the Belt and Road initiative.

The Commerce and Economic Development Bureau is tasked with exploring emerging markets, ensuring that entrepreneurs are well-informed about local opportunities, Lee said.

Furthermore, Lee expressed his commitment to continue overseas visits in the future, accompanied by business representatives to facilitate the development of networks.

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Lee said that the Hong Kong SAR government is commiting to promoting economic development and increasing people's income, thus improving residents’ ability to afford to buy their own home

In particular, Lee’s Policy Address unveiled visa relaxation for talent from Vietnam, Laos, and Nepal, which are all participating in the Belt and Road Initiative. These countries, particularly those in ASEAN and Southeast Asia, are Hong Kong’s near neighbors and can derive significant benefits from effectively managing the risk of illegal emigration, Lee said.

Lee said that the Hong Kong SAR government is commiting to promoting economic development and increasing people's income, thus improving residents’ ability to afford to buy their own home.

The issue of home ownership in Hong Kong is a systemic challenge, and the government's objective is to stabilize property prices, ensuring that residents can afford a flat within their financial means, Lee acknowledged.

Lee highlighted the government's efforts in assisting young individuals in purchasing their own homes. He mentioned the Starter Homes for Hong Kong Residents pilot project as an example, where approximately 85 percent of the buyers in the past were aged 40 or below.

The Policy Address proposed to implement smart and green mass transit in East Kowloon, Kai Tak and Hung Shui Kiu/Ha Tsuen, areas where the public transportation is relatively less well-developed despite the growing number of people living there.

Residents have expressed strong demand for the completion of the Kai Tak transportation system, Lee said, adding that the government will be soliciting expressions of interest from various parties in the coming year, followed by a thorough evaluation process before awarding the tender.

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Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu speaks during a question-and-answer session for the 2023 Policy Address at the Legislative Council in Hong Kong on Oct 26, 2023. (ANDY CHONG / CHINA DAILY)

Regarding Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), Lee said the recruitment process for Commissioner for Chinese Medicine Development is close to an end.

The primary task of the commissioner will be to formulate a comprehensive blueprint for the development of TCM in Hong Kong and to introduce measures to support its growth, Lee said.

In response to a question regarding the absence of any reference to freezing human eggs in the Policy Address, Lee said that the government's medical policy primarily emphasizes the promotion of fertility and early childbearing

In addressing cyber fraud, Lee said that technology frauds have a global impact, and Hong Kong needs to enhance cooperation both internationally and with the Chinese mainland in combating this issue.

Hong Kong can work with the mainland to organize anti-fraud seminars in the future, Lee said.

In response to a question regarding the absence of any reference to freezing human eggs in the Policy Address, Lee said that the government's medical policy primarily emphasizes the promotion of fertility and early childbearing. The policy of freezing eggs, on the other hand, may not align with the objective of encouraging early childbearing.

Also on Thursday morning, during a radio phone-in program, concerns were raised regarding the measures to encourage childbirth.

Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu (center left) speaks during a question-and-answer session for the 2023 Policy Address at the Legislative Council in Hong Kong on Oct 26, 2023. (ANDY CHONG / CHINA DAILY)

One caller, who recently had her fourth child, expressed disappointment that none of the proposed measures had benefited her family, labeling the selection of the effective date of the measures as “strange”.

Another caller said that the middle classes may lack sufficient welfare support, while some people from lower-income backgrounds might have as many children, which may abuse the welfare benefits.

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In response, Lee said that there will always be residents who may not benefit from the birth incentives, regardless of the effective date.

Also, formulating policies targeting specific groups, such as implementing an asset test, would entail high administrative costs. The focus of the policy is to send a strong message to the society to encourage births, Lee said.