Chief executive hopeful John Lee Ka-chiu waves at a news conference at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre on before unveiling his manifesto for the chief executive election, April 29, 2022. (CALVIN NG / CHINA DAILY)

Hong Kong residents have high hopes for chief executive candidate John Lee Ka-chiu’s manifesto initiatives in the areas of youth and housing, saying that his policy visions are practical and problem-solving. 

Lee unveiled his political platform on Friday, proposing a series of measures to enhance upward mobility for youths and to increase the land and housing supply. 

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Timothy Kwai Ting-kong, a youth member of the Chinese Association of Hong Kong and Macao Studies, said he sees in Lee’s manifesto the broad inclusion of suggestions from local youth groups.

Bolstering national education and creating more cross-border exchanges for Hong Kong’s young people would benefi t their development, as they can better grasp the opportunities brought by Hong Kong’s integration into the country’s overall development, Kwai said. 

Kwai said he believes that Lee’s approach to solving the city’s housing shortage, which accounts for a quarter of his manifesto, would also help young people settle down and achieve greater development. 


Lo Hiu-fung, vice-president of the Tai Po Youth Association, said Lee’s plan to strengthen patriotic education among young people is forward-looking. 

Lee’s approach to solving the city’s housing shortage, which accounts for a quarter of his manifesto, would also help young people settle down and achieve greater development, said Timothy Kwai Ting-kong, a youth member of the Chinese Association of Hong Kong and Macao Studies

As a youth leader, Lo was invited to participate in Lee’s media briefing on the manifesto. Lo also expects much from the development of the Northern Metropolis, which is set to be a new engine for Hong Kong’s growth, and a vital connection with the Chinese mainland in Lee’s plan.

He believes the blueprint can strengthen Hong Kong young people’s communication with their mainland counterparts, and bolster their understanding of the nation.

Jason Lee, executive vice-chairman of the Hong Kong CPPCC Youth Association, said he is glad to hear that John Lee has proposed to help 1,000 junior secondary school students living in subdivided flats with training and subsidies offered by the government, the private sector and NGOs. 

The youth representative said the plan is realistic and practical, and will provide learning opportunities for underprivileged teenagers and boost their confidence in seeking greater career development. 

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In terms of housing policies, Jason Lee said he believes that streamlining procedures will do much to help resolve the thorny issue. He added that the goal is within reach of the government, and it is highly likely to achieve good results. 

Hsu Yau-wai, a public housing manager at Kwun Tong, said he envisioned that more people can enjoy a better living environment after the government improves the efficiency and quantity of the housing supply as Lee has proposed.

To cut waiting times for public housing, John Lee has proposed allowing residents to move in to completed public buildings even if the infrastructure support is not ready. 

Voicing support for the move, Hsu also hopes that the government can do more to promote and explain the policy to the public if the policy is implemented.

Contact the writers at oasishu@chinadailyhk.com