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Peggy Sito

The chairman of the Trade Development Council – a prominent supporter of Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying – urged whoever succeeds the city’s leader to uphold current housing initiatives.
While declining to reveal who he would support in the race for Hong Kong’s top office, Vincent Lo Hong-sui said the new leader’s gender did not matter as long as he or she could implement policies that served the people.
In an exclusive interview with the Post, the 68-year-old tycoon, who is also chairman of locally listed Shui On Land, said it was paramount that housing issues in the city be tackled.
“Society’s contentment basically depends on addressing housing,” he said.
Can Hong Kong’s Chief Executive candidates pass the property policy test?
Lo claimed Leung’s administration had made considerable strides to improve livelihood in the city, and hoped his policy objectives would continue.
His comments were in line with recent remarks by Chief Secretary Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor on deciding whether to join the leadership race. She said a criterion was “whether the chief executive’s governing vision ... as well as the policies in his administration could be sustained.”
Society’s contentment basically depends on addressing housing
Vincent Lo, Trade Development Council chairman
The chief secretary made a U-turn earlier this month by announcing she would reconsider running to succeed Leung, one day after he said he would not seek re-election in March.
Lam, seen as a strong contender for the top job, has not formally declared her candidacy.
Last week, lawmaker and former minister Regina Ip Lau Suk-yee said when announcing her chief executive bid that tackling housing problem would be her top priority.
Despite being a a staunch ally of Leung’s, Lo said he was unaware of his re-election bid decision before the surprise announcement. “He shocked everybody,” he said.
Lo claimed Leung called him afterwards and asked for his suggestions about how to better serve the city in the coming months.
“He really wants to do something good for Hong Kong,” he added.
In an interview with TVB in May, Leung urged his successor not to dismantle initiatives he launched, such as the Poverty Commission and the 10-year housing plan.




At the end of September, there were about 152 500 general applications for public rental housing, according to the Housing Authority. Last month the body announced that the average waiting time for general applicants was 4.5 years.
The government’s latest 10-year housing supply target was set at 460,000 units, of which 40 per cent was to come from the private sector.
“The new administration should build more public housing, especially for young people,” Lo said.
A portion of local country parks should be released to develop affordable housing, he added.


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Stand firm on Hong Kong housing initiatives, major CY Leung ally urges

Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying (3rd from left) and Hong Kong Trade Development Council chairman Vincent Lo Hong-sui (3rd from right) in Wan Chai earlier this month celebrating the council’s 50th anniversary. Photo: Xiaomei Chen

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Prominent supporter of city’s leader tells Post whoever takes office next must uphold current initiatives and strive to improve livelihoods


Leung Chun-ying (CY Leung)

Hong Kong housing

Exclusive | Stand firm on Hong Kong housing initiatives, major CY Leung ally urges

Prominent supporter of city’s leader tells Post whoever takes office next must uphold current initiatives and strive to improve livelihoods