Hong Kong’s John Lee says he won’t try to change people’s political views, but pledges ‘action’ to reach out to youth
- Chief executive’s remarks were in response to questions on whether he would implement ‘reconciliation measures’ to build bridges after 2019 social unrest
- Schools must be held more accountable for implementing national education, bureau chief Christine Choi says
Hong Kong’s leader has said his administration will not attempt to dissuade others of their political views but would use “action” to elaborate on the government’s policy rationale as part of a wider effort to reach out to the city’s youth.
“Hong Kong is a diverse city and it’s normal for people to have different political views … Politics is like religion, when you believe in something it’s unrealistic to persuade you into changing your views,” Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu told a radio programme on Saturday.
“Therefore we shouldn’t try to change people’s minds but we should use action to let them understand the reasons we had done things in a particular way.”
Lee’s remarks were in response to questions on whether authorities would implement “reconciliation measures” as part of his “Youth Development Blueprint” to mend fences with the city’s young generation following the social unrest in 2019.
The blueprint, announced as part of Lee’s first policy address on Wednesday, is set to be revealed by the year’s end and aims to support a new generation of young people with an affection for mainland China and Hong Kong.
