Divisions remain despite Lam’s promise of a new beginning
Reactions to the chief executive’s policy address mainly mirror the political divide except for one notable exception
Even as Hong Kong’s leader pledged a new beginning, many of the same old divisions in the Legislative Council were apparent in reactions to her maiden policy address on Wednesday.
Most in the pro-establishment majority praised Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor’s address for providing solutions to the city’s social and economic woes while opposition lawmakers were critical, saying Lam seemed to evade the political chasm that they say exists in the city.
However, at least one person in the pro-Beijing camp was critical of Lam’s speech. New People’s Party chairwoman Regina Ip Lau Suk-yee, a former candidate for chief executive, noted that Lam stopped short of saying that she will push forward any political reform.
In maiden Hong Kong policy address, Carrie Lam focuses on middle class to bring housing market out of crisis
“Those who are hoping for more democracy in Hong Kong would be disappointed,” she said, although she also praised Lam for “focusing on livelihood and economic issues”.
In an unusually short policy speech lasting 40 minutes, Lam proposed launching a new “Starter Homes” scheme to help first-time buyers, while more than 4,000 new public flats will be offered as part of the “Green Form Subsidised Home Ownership Pilot Scheme” by the end of 2018. Profits tax on the first HK$2 million a business makes will drop to 8.25 per cent, or half the standard rate.
But Ip said Lam should disclose more details about the “starter home” project, such as the level of discount of the housing units.
“I would give this address 60 marks out of 100. Marks can be added if officials explain more in the coming days.”
