‘We have to tell people how great we are’: Hong Kong’s John Lee to adopt more proactive approach to promoting city on world stage
- New leader uses Chinese proverb and Cantonese phrase in showing how his approach differs from that of his predecessor
- Analysts say Lee’s strategies do not seem promising, and that efforts could hinge on whether authorities are continuing crackdown on opposition camp
Hong Kong’s new leader John Lee Ka-chiu on Wednesday sought to distinguish his approach to promoting the city on the international stage from that of his predecessor, citing traditional phrases in insisting that the city had to “tell people how great we are”.
Quoting a Chinese saying that “musk naturally has fragrance”, essentially meaning the appeal of a particular thing is obvious, Lee said such a pragmatic and conservative approach was no longer ideal under the current political climate.
“Instead, when we draw a cartoon character, we should draw its intestines as well,” he continued, using a colloquial Cantonese phrase that refers to how one should offer more details about a particular subject.
Lee, who took office on July 1, vowed to reform the government’s publicity approach to a bold, proactive one in “speaking up against smearing by foreign forces” and “telling stories of Hong Kong and China well”.
Policy delivery and communication strategies have been regarded as major weaknesses that plagued the previous administration – from its handling of the 2019 extradition bill saga which sparked months of social unrest to the confusing public health messaging in the Omicron-fuelled coronavirus epidemic.
In Lee’s first question and answer session in the Legislative Council on Wednesday, he revealed key strategies of his administration: building a narrative to present Hong Kong’s achievements, exploring new communication channels with residents and resuming official foreign visits.
“We are gentlemen, but there are lots of petty people in the world,” he said in response to a question by lawmaker Chan Siu-hung on measures to combat foreign forces amid the superpower rivalry.
