Carrie Lam wants ‘storm in Hong Kong to end soon’ and will zero in on housing in her policy address but critics urge her to go for bold reforms. Will she or won’t she?
- Chief executive says housing policies will be the focus of this year’s speech, which she hopes will symbolise a new beginning for city
- Government sources warn against high expectations, while more than 1,000 riot police and water cannons are expected to be deployed around Admiralty
Hong Kong’s beleaguered leader will focus on a mounting housing and land shortage rather than dwell on politics as she makes her her third policy address on Wednesday, pitching the occasion as a fresh start to restore confidence to a city battered by more than four months of protests.
But government sources immediately cautioned against having high expectations that the policy blueprint – akin to a state of the union address – could hold landmark moves, while lawmakers and commentators called on Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor to offer bold measures to soothe the angry sentiments fuelling the demonstrations.
On social media sites, such as LIHKG and Telegram, however, there was little discussion on protesters’ plans for Wednesday even as police vowed to be on high alert.
More than 1,000 riot police, along with two water cannons, will be deployed to deal with possible unrest at the government headquarters and Legislative Council building in Admiralty. All residents must also go through a security check before they can enter the Legco building to watch Lam’s address.
