Improving well-being always a priority

Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor delivered a keynote speech at the Asia House Signature Conference on Monday morning. In her speech she reiterated that improving people's livelihood is the main focus of the fifth-term special administrative region government, and Hong Kong society will benefit from more opportunities arising from increased exchanges between the SAR and neighboring areas when the effects of the Express Rail Link, Greater Bay Area development and cooperation agreements with Association of Southeast Asian Nations countries make themselves felt in coming years. This is the trademark of a responsible and accountable government that deserves public trust and support.

The current SAR government, led by Lam, has no doubt achieved a good start since taking office on July 1. Public response to Lam's first Policy Address and a number of measures to increase land supply for housing development and funding for basic education has definitely been positive, as evidenced by opinion polls and Lam's popularity among local residents. One most recent example emerged during Government House Open Day on Sunday, where many Hong Kong residents lined up to have selfies taken with Lam in addition to showering her with encouragement.

Of course Lam thanked all those well-wishers profusely for their support but there is no question her popularity is real and growing despite opposition attempts to obstruct the normal operations of the SAR government. The fact is most local residents know very well the government is working very hard to deliver on its promise of improving people's livelihood by boosting socio-economic development as well as maintaining the rule of law.

Admittedly the SAR government has its work cut out as far as achieving the goals spelled out in the 2017-18 Policy Address is concerned. And those goals are only temporary, as people's desire for better life will never expire. It is up to the SAR government to communicate with local residents and understand exactly what they need in terms of equal opportunities and social upward mobility, which depends on political-economic development and social progress. The current SAR government is no doubt on the right track toward its goals of effective governance. What it needs to succeed is resolve, focus, finesse and patience as well as continued public support, of course.

Lam noted in her speech on Monday that Hong Kong enjoys the advantage of "one country, two systems", effective rule of law and close connection to the Chinese mainland and rest of the world. Indeed Hong Kong has long been the envy of many market economies for various reasons but none more important than its location and status. However, it is never enough to count one's blessings; and people must never let their blessings go to waste. After all, a blessing is worthless unless you take full use of it.

(HK Edition 11/28/2017 page8)