Published: 12:43, October 29, 2024 | Updated: 15:19, October 29, 2024
CE: Land supply leadership must be in govt hands
By Wang Zhan
Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu speaks during a press conference ahead of the weekly Executive Council meeting on Oct 29, 2024. (PHOTO / HKSAR GOVERNMENT)

HONG KONG – The leadership of land supply in Hong Kong must be in the hands of the government, otherwise it could be controlled by those with vested interests, which is not in the interests of the residents, Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu said on Tuesday.

Responding to public concerns that the city’s land supply will exceed its demand, which will lead to more cases of negative equity in mortgage loans and subsequently increase the government’s financial burden, the CE pointed out that the past experience showed insufficient land production had led to insufficient supply, making it difficult for residents to own a house.

“Land production will take several years. It stopped for a period of time in the early 2000s and the impact was so immense. The government must take the leadership in land production,” he said ahead of the Executive Council meeting.

ALSO READ: HK aims to provide 440,000 homes over next decade

"Land production and supply are also two different things," the CE said, explaining that the government could release its land supply to the market for housing projects when necessary, or put the land into the government's land reserve.

Highlighting the government’s commitment to land production in his third Policy Address delivered on Oct 16, Lee reiterated that it will take a cautious and serious approach to land supply and housing development based on the data of supply and demand.

Sexual assault at Hong Chi Association

Asked about a case of sexual assault at a residential care home for those with disabilities managed by the Hong Chi Association, the CE described the incident as “a despicable and shameless act”, asking police to conduct an investigation and hold the offender accountable.

Stressing that the Social Welfare Department must ensure that the residential homes complied with license requirements and the code of practice, he said the department had shortened the validity of the license from three years to one year.

He said the association must complete its review report and recommend enhancement measures as soon as possible.

Chief Secretary for Administration Eric Chan Kwok-ki (first row, second left) watches a football match during the first test event of the Kai Tak Sports Park on Oct 27, 2024, together with Deputy Financial Secretary Michael Wong Wai-lun (first row, first left), Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism Kevin Yeung Yun-hung (first row, third left), Secretary for Security Chris Tang Ping-keung (first row, fifth left) and Secretary for Transport and Logistics Lam Sai-hung (first row, fourth left). (PHOTO / HKSAR GOVERNMENT)

Drills at Kai Tak Sports Park

Talking about a test run of the youth sports ground at the Kai Tak Sports Park on Sunday, Lee pointing out that the government had required all departments, park owners and operators to be highly vigilant with "bottom line thinking" and improve safety factors, including formulating contingency plans for emergencies and preparing for unstable weather.

The intensity of testing will gradually increase until more than one drill involving 50,000 spectators was conducted to fully prepare the sports ground for the opening, he said, adding that the government will also test the effectiveness of the transportation arrangements.

ALSO READ: Hong Kong's Kai Tak stadium to open with star-studded show next year

Retail industry support

On the support for the retail sector and the small and medium enterprises, the CE stressed that reforms were needed amid the changes in the consumption habits of local residents and tourists in times of the economic transformation. He said he set out eight measure in his Policy Address to support SMEs.

The government will make use of the dinosaur fossils discovered on Port Island in the Hong Kong UNESCO Global Geopark to further develop the city’s tourism, including plans for workshops and a long-term display about palaeontology, he added.