CE listens to views of public at consultation session for Policy Address (with photos)

     Following the public consultation session on August 22, the Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, today (September 12) attended again a public consultation session for the 2021 Policy Address organised by the Radio Television Hong Kong (RTHK) at the Seminar Hall of the Xiqu Centre at the West Kowloon Cultural District to listen to views and suggestions of members of the public on the upcoming Policy Address. The Chief Executive has started to gauge the views of various sectors for the 2021 Policy Address since July 6 and the consultation session today was the last one in the consultation exercise. More than 100 people from various districts participated in person or online.

     The public consultation session lasted two hours and was broadcast live by RTHK. About 50 people gave their views at the venue and via video conferencing or the media platform. Topics covered are wide ranging, including Hong Kong's advantages, development of Hong Kong people in the Greater Bay Area, welfare of the elderly, resumption of quarantine-free travel with the Mainland, promotion of innovation and technology as well as arts and culture and attraction of relevant talents. Participants also put forward proposals in such areas as sports facilities and transport in districts, social inclusion of different ethnic groups, national education, ageing population, smart city, youth training and environmental protection.

     During the consultation exercise in the past two months or so, Mrs Lam hosted 40 sessions with a total of more than 3 500 participants from various sectors in the community. Among the 40 consultation sessions, 16 were theme based, including those held in relation to the eight centres with the support of the Central Authorities to Hong Kong as set out in the 14th Five-Year Plan, while 18 sessions were held for specific stakeholders, including legislators, Hong Kong deputies to the National People's Congress, Hong Kong members of the Standing Committee of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, representatives of the Heung Yee Kuk and civil service unions. With the expansion of the composition of the Election Committee, consultation sessions were specially arranged for the first time this year for grassroots associations, Chinese fellow townsmen and Hong Kong residents in the Mainland. Besides, six other consultation sessions were held with the participation of students, young people and members of the public, including Mrs Lam's two school visits to directly listen to views of students.

     "I am grateful for the participation of various sectors in the community in giving views for the 2021 Policy Address and the assistance of the RTHK, school-sponsoring bodies, the youth organisation and more in making arrangements for the consultation sessions. Following the unprecedented challenges Hong Kong has faced in the past two years, I feel from the views expressed by various sectors the hope of members of the public to have a Policy Address this year which will map out Hong Kong’s future. I will actively consider people's views and spare no effort in working with the governing team and civil servant colleagues to respond to the aspirations of members of the public," Mrs Lam said.

     The 2021 Policy Address will be delivered on October 6. Members of the public are welcome to continue to give their views through various channels, including the Policy Address website and the dedicated Facebook page or by phone, email, fax or post. As at September 5, about 2 700 representations have been received via the above-mentioned channels.