Chief executive hopeful John Lee Ka-chiu announces his manifesto for the chief executive election at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre in Wan Chai on April 29, 2022. (CALVIN NG / CHINA DAILY)
Hong Kong – an international metropolis with the nation’s strong backing – has its unique strengths and is still attractive for talents, says chief executive candidate John Lee Ka-chiu.
He said people can easily see the results, more than ever, that the special administrative region remains a free and inclusive place for people to develop their careers and pursue their dreams.
READ MORE: Lee's policies on youth, housing hailed
Lee was speaking at a question-and-answer session co-organized by seven Hong Kong electronic media organizations on Saturday evening. The hour-long event, which was broadcast live on television, saw the chief executive hopeful take questions from journalists and local residents that covered a wide range of issues, including housing, land supply, the local economy, relations between Hong Kong and the Chinese mainland, as well as the pandemic.
CE hopeful John Lee stressed that the SAR has the advantages, such as abundant opportunities, due the city’s deep connections not only with the mainland, but also with the international community
He stressed that the SAR has the advantages, such as abundant opportunities, due the city’s deep connections not only with the mainland, but also with the international community. And, it’s widely accepted that the mainland is and will be the engine for economic development in the world.
Hong Kong is a place where everyone can make their dreams come true, Lee said. From time to time, the city has seen people coming and leaving, based on their own considerations. But, each time, it has been proven that Hong Kong is a competitive place where they can make the grade, he said.
Lee said the HKSAR’s sixth-term administration would have strong ability to execute policies that will bring fruitful results and allow people to see that Hong Kong is a place they can embrace.
He said if he’s elected the city’s next leader, his priority will be to resume quarantine-free travel between Hong Kong and the mainland. He pledged to initiate talks with the mainland authorities about conditions for normal travel to resume, and strive to remove all the stumbling blocks, while creating favorable conditions for this to happen, such as boosting the city’s vaccination rate. Removing the travel restrictions should progress in phases gradually.
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As for easing travel curbs with overseas destinations, he said this will not contradict with the resumption of normal travel with the mainland. But, he warned that there could be more imported cases of COVID-19 that have been responsible for the fifth and most serious wave of the local outbreak. The government will try to strike a balance between meeting people’s different needs and formulating pandemic control measures in accordance with the actual circumstances.
An online poll has so far found that more than 73 percent of 1,238 respondents are satisfied with Lee’s platform
Referring to young people’s involvement in the 2019 social unrest, Lee said Hong Kong values the rule of law, and it’s imperative for people to express their views lawfully despite differences in the community.
Resorting to illegal means would not resolve differences, he stressed, adding he will spare no effort to help youngsters and change people’s minds.
Lee also said political reform will not be a priority for the sixth-term HKSAR government, and the newly-elected legislature needs time to show the people of Hong Kong the beauty of the city’s improved electoral system that fully implements the principle of “patriots administering Hong Kong”.
INFOGRAPHICS: Lee vows to start new chapter for HK 'together'
In unveiling his election manifesto on Friday, Lee vowed to make the “Pearl of Orient” shine brighter by strengthening governance, increasing land and housing supply, boosting the city’s competitiveness and building a caring and inclusive society that will help young people move up the social ladder.
An online poll has so far found that more than 73 percent of 1,238 respondents are satisfied with Lee’s platform. The poll, which is continuing, was launched by a local media on Friday shortly after Lee issued his manifesto.