Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu attends a question and answer session on the 2022 Policy Address at the Legislative Council on Oct 20, 2022. (CALVIN NG / CHINA DAILY)

Hong Kong lawmakers said the first Policy Address of Chief Executive John Lee Ka-Chiu will help improve the city’s governance, cultivate talents, prop up its position and solve deep-seated problems.

Hong Kong lawmakers said the new practice of having a monthly antechamber exchange session between the HKSAR government and the legislative branch — a creation of the current administration — has enhanced positive interaction between the administration and legislative branch

They said the address, delivered on Oct 19, demonstrates the special administrative region government’s holistic approach to governance and its determination to reform. They also said the new practice of having a monthly antechamber exchange session between the government and the legislative branch — a creation of the current administration — has enhanced positive interaction between the administration and legislative branch.

Their remarks came during debate on a proposal in Wednesday’s Legislative Council meeting.

The proposal seeks to pay tribute to the chief executive for his address while putting forward advice on government’s work. Presented by lawmaker Starry Lee Wai-king, the post-Policy Address proposal is a long-standing government tradition. The proposal is not binding.

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Starry Lee, who is also the chairwoman of the Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong, said the address reflected the SAR government’s comprehensive understanding of local situations and national development, and its determination to solve social problems. The blueprint will enhance the city’s governance and consolidate its global positioning as centers of the finance, legal, aviation and other industries, she said.

She also supported the move for lawmakers and government officials to have more communications via the monthly antechamber exchange sessions, saying they could help the positive interaction and cooperation between administration and legislature.

Lawmaker Lo Wai-kwok suggested the SAR government should further improve the legal system and enforcement mechanism for safeguarding national security.

Lo, also chairman of the Business and Professionals Alliance of Hong Kong, said the government should rein in the pandemic effectively and promote social and economic recovery as soon as possible, especially by resuming quarantine-free travel with the Chinese mainland.

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Legislator Kenneth Lau Ip-keung said the Policy Address highlighted the government’s determination to promote the education on the Constitution, the Basic Law, and the National Security Law for Hong Kong.

Lau said Hong Kong should give full play to the advantages of the “one country, two systems” principle, make good use of the support of the motherland, and continue to enhance its competitiveness on the global stage.

Debate on the motion began on Wednesday and is expected run through Friday. Lawmakers and government officials will discuss the topics listed in the Policy Address.