Policy Address draws praise and criticism, splitting pro-Beijing camp

CY Leung listens to legislators during the Policy Address presentation

Hong Kong’s Chief Executive (CE), Leung Chun-­Ying, delivered his 2016 Policy Address yesterday, drawing praise and criticism from fellow lawmakers in the HKSAR.
The Policy Address, which this year adopted the theme of “Innovate for the Economy; Improve Livelihood; Foster Harmony; Share Prosperity,” generated mixed reactions from the CE’s pro-Beijing camp.
Finance sector lawmaker Ng Leung-sing appeared pleased with the address, giving it a score of 85 marks out 100 according to some reports.  He said that it was “very substantial in terms of content.”
“There are quite a few measures on the macro level and they’re not just empty statements… Like it was said in the address, our position as an international financial center is still sound,” Ng added.
But Liberal Party leader, Vincent Fang Kang, criticized the address for its vagueness and failure to tackle the difficulties faced by ordinary residents of the HKSAR.
Pan-democrat lawmakers were predictably dissatisfied with the Policy Address, highlighting the CE’s failure to mention the recent scandal involving the five missing booksellers.
“This is the policy address, but what is in it?” Hong Kong Free Press (HKFP) accredit Labour Party legislator Lee Cheuk-yan with having said. “He [Leung] did not mention Lee Bo at all, or the security issues associated with ‘one country, two systems’.”
According to the agency, the lawmaker walked out during the speech with several of his party colleagues, one of whom described the address as “a betrayal of Hong Kong, and an act of kissing ass, all so that he [Leung] can be re-­elected.”
However, the Chief Executive did make reference to the Basic Law in the conclusion of his address; promising to “uphold Hong Kong’s core values such as human rights, freedom, democracy, the rule and law and clean governance,” and that the government will “fully and faithfully implement the principles of ‘one country, two systems’.”

leung’s smart city starts with free wi-fi

CY Leung said yesterday that the government is considering developing the HKSAR into a “smart city,” which would include the expansion of free Wi-Fi services. Such services would be made available at bus stops and shopping centers.  Hong Kong, which has ranked first globally in technology infrastructure for five consecutive years, currently has over 17,000 free Wi-Fi “hotspots”. Leung wants to double the number of hotspots within three years to provide the free services at all public rental housing estates, public hospitals, markets, park, sitting-out areas, promenades and tourist spots. “The internet is of increasing importance to us,” Leung said, adding that the speed of Wi-Fi connections should also be improved and security ought to be enhanced.