Solve discontent in Hong Kong by improving people’s livelihoods, urges New World chief

New World chairman Henry Cheng Kar-shun urged the government to continue “solving the people’s discontent by stimulating the economy and improving the people’s livelihood.”

Speaking at a media gathering in Beijing on Tuesday, the standing committee member of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPCCC) expressed his fears that political conflict could would escalate if efforts to break the deadlock over political reform failed this summer.

Cheng was a supporter of CY Leung during the chief executive elections in 2012.

Speaking of Leung’s performance over the past two-and-a-half years, Cheng said “the chief executive is doing a difficult job, but he has tried hard and has been energetic, and hopes that Hong Kong will continue to prosper.”

But he suggested that Leung had not achieved much because there had been too many obstacles in his way.

“Not much can be achieved no matter who does the job, because some organisations have made governance very difficult,” Cheng said.

“The young [are frustrated by] the lack of upward mobility, and find it hard to buy a flat,” he said. “The government therefore has to win the people’s support and think of how to stimulate the economy and improve people’s livelihoods ... It must resolve people’s discontent.”