Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu (center) attends the 2023 Policy Address District Forum with some principal officials to listen to views and suggestions of local community members on the upcoming Policy Address on Aug 20, 2023. (PHOTO / INFORMATION SERVICES DEPARTMENT OF THE HKSAR GOVERNMENT)

HONG KONG – Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu sought on Sunday the views of people from all walks of life on the upcoming Policy Address during a forum in the Eastern District.

Lee, together with his team of principal officials, listened to the views and suggestions expressed during the two-hour district forum attended by about 120 people at the Aldrich Bay Government Primary School in Shau Kei Wan. He is set to deliver the Policy Address on Oct 25.

The matters of concern raised during the forum included land and housing, transport, innovation and technology, finance, culture and sports, education, youth, poverty alleviation, healthcare and social welfare

"My team and I have fruitful and fulfilling interactions with the members of the public in today's District Forum and listened to a number of valuable views. I truly feel everyone's deep affection for Hong Kong and the aspirations to make it a better home together,” Lee said.

“Solving problems encountered by the public in their daily lives and doing our utmost for people's livelihood are the responsibilities and goal of my team and myself,” he added.

The two-hour forum consisted of two sessions. In the first session, Lee and the principal officials listened to the views of members of the public.

The matters of concern raised during the forum included land and housing, transport, innovation and technology, finance, culture and sports, education, youth, poverty alleviation, healthcare and social welfare, according to the statement.

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In the second session, participants were divided into four groups with the themes of "Boosting Economy" and "People's Livelihood" for extensive discussions with the principal officials. Lee talked with members of the public from each group and listened to their views.

"I firmly believe that in formulating policies, it is necessary to have a holistic view, strategic and innovative mindset, and at the same time, we must also look at the different needs of the public in their daily lives, and understand the living conditions of different sectors of the community, so that we can achieve the goal of proactively responding to the people's aspirations,” Lee said.

“My team and I will actively consider the views from the participants with the aim of responding to the trust and expectations from the members of the public on the government," he added.

The public consultation for the Policy Address was launched in late July. The HKSAR government will continue to tap the views of organizations and individuals from different sectors in the coming month thru different activities, including consultation sessions and district visits.

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The principal officials who participated in the forum included Chief Secretary for Administration Eric Chan Kwok-ki; Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po; Secretary for Justice Paul Lam Ting-kwok; Deputy Chief Secretary for Administration Cheuk Wing-hing; Deputy Financial Secretary Michael Wong Wai-lun; Deputy Secretary for Justice Cheung Kwok-kwan; and Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism Yun-hung.

Also present were Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs Erick Tsang Kwok-wai; Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury Christopher Hui Ching-yu; Secretary for Health Lo Chung-mau; the Secretary for Transport and Logistics Lam Sai-hung; Secretary for Development Bernadette Linn Hon-ho; Secretary for Housing Winnie Ho Wing-yin; Secretary for the Civil Service Ingrid Yeung Ho Poi-yan; Secretary for Education Christine Choi Yuk-lin; Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry Sun Dong; Secretary for Labour and Welfare Chris Sun.

Acting Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development Bernard Chan Pak-li; Acting Secretary for Security Michael Cheuk Hau-yip; Acting Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs Clarence Leung Wang-ching; and Under Secretary for Environment and Ecology Diane Wong Shuk-han also attended the forum.

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Members of the public can give their views through various channels, including the Policy Address website, social media platforms, hotlines, or through email, fax and post.