Hong Kong’s John Lee says economy to be the focus of 3rd Policy Address
Hong Kong Free Press
Hong Kong leader John Lee has said economic growth will be the focus of his third Policy Address after the enactment of a homegrown security law in March laid the groundwork for the city’s stability.
Speaking during a regular press conference on Tuesday, Lee said the government would organise more than 40 consultation hearings including two on-the-ground meetings with residents ahead of the annual policy address, expected to be delivered in October.
“As the government has completed [legislating] safeguarding national security and governance at the district level, we are confident in the overall security and stability of Hong Kong, therefore we will hone in on developing the economy and improving people’s livelihood,” Lee said in Cantonese.
He said economic growth would be prioritised given a volatile global economy, with high interest rates, strains on supply chains, and complex geopolitical situations fuelling uncertainties.
Issues impacting people’s livelihoods would also be considered, Lee said, adding that he was confident the consultation meetings would reach a wide cross-section of residents after the pandemic.
He said the government would also consult professional sectors, local district groups and political parties on the policy address.
During last year’s address, which lasted for around three hours and 20 minutes, Lee vowed to complete the legislation of the city’s own security law and introduced measures including those aimed at easing property taxes and boosting childbirth.
In March, Hong Kong passed the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance, known locally as Article 23, the city’s second security legislation after Beijing imposed a national security law in 2020 following large-scale pro-democracy protests and unrest.
Separate to the 2020 Beijing-enacted security law, the homegrown Safeguarding National Security Ordinance targets treason, insurrection, sabotage, external interference, sedition, theft of state secrets and espionage. It allows for pre-charge detention of to up to 16 days, and suspects’ access to lawyers may be restricted, with penalties involving up to life in prison. Article 23 was shelved in 2003 amid mass protests, remaining taboo for years. But, on March 23, 2024, it was enacted having been fast-tracked and unanimously approved at the city’s opposition-free legislature.
The law has been criticised by rights NGOs, Western states and the UN as vague, broad and “regressive.” Authorities, however, cited perceived foreign interference and a constitutional duty to “close loopholes” after the 2019 protests and unrest.
Southeast Asia trip
Lee on Tuesday also said he would lead a high-level delegation to three member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) – Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam – later this month.
The delegation would consist of representatives from industry and commerce, finance, transport, logistics, law, and the creative industries, he said, which would promote Hong Kong and foster business opportunities.
Lee said the trip would also seek the three countries’ support for Hong Kong entering the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, a free trade agreement among 15 Asia-Pacific countries including ASEAN, as well as Australia and China.
“[We will] push for regional economic development and utilise Hong Kong’s role as a ‘super connector’ and ‘super value-adder,’ deepening the cooperation with fellow Belt and Road countries,” he said.
ASEAN has overtaken the European Union as the second-largest trading partner with Hong Kong in recent years, with total trade in 2023 exceeding US$144.6 billion (HK$1,128 billion).
Lee last visited ASEAN countries last July, when he went to Singapore, Indonesia, and Malaysia. He also went to Thailand in November 2022 to attend the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Bangkok, in what was his first overseas trip as chief executive.
He said Hong Kong greatly valued its cooperation with ASEAN as it was an emerging market with great economic potential. Further details of his upcoming trip would be announced at a later date, he added.
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