Protesters want better life

A number of marches by the pro-Leung camp and anti-Leung activists on New Year's Day were organized to express concern in sensible and orderly ways without stand-offs or violence. These reflect Hong Kong's fine tradition of peaceful and orderly demonstrations. These New Year's Day rallies were different from previous ones, which were sometimes violent with physical confrontation.

Hence, it is understood that our political ecology and the local standard of living are interrelated. Only by enhancing economic growth and improving quality of life can we achieve a positive political ecology. As the new year dawns, there is much anticipation that Leung has more practical plans at the ready to tackle some of the deeper, unresolved issues. We shall see when he delivers his maiden Policy Address on Jan 16.

During the New Year's Day marches, the Hong Kong Celebrations Committee and other local groups held rallies on the theme "New Hope for New Year". The main concerns of these pro-Leung participants include "supporting the government, developing the economy and improving quality of life." They hope the government can concentrate on livelihood improvement with mobilization of our whole society. In fact, some of those opponents also expressed concern on economic and social issues by asking for implementation of a universal pension system and welfare improvement. It shows that both camps, whether pro- or anti-government, share this common view of a need to upgrade the economy and improve the quality of life as the main tasks of the government.

Current stable economic and social conditions have greatly contributed to the orderliness of the demonstrations. Compared to Europe and the United States, which face deficits and high unemployment, economic conditions and the fiscal reserve in Hong Kong are much healthier. As the euro crisis clouds the euro zone, governments in the zone have cut their budgets including welfare spending, triggering large-scale protests across Europe. With support from the central government, the Hong Kong economy is progressing in a stable way with the implementation of the minimum wage. Hence, the protests in the city is much more peaceful than those in Europe or the United States as the political ecology in Hong Kong is relatively more healthy.

This is an excerpted translation of a Wen Wei Po editorial published on Jan 2.

'Topple Leung' bids futile

Jackie Hung Ling-yu, the Civil Human Rights Front convener, proclaimed that CY Leung should resign over his failure to make full disclosure over illegal structures on his property. Hung went on to say that Leung's successor should be chosen by a ballot of universal suffrage. She called on citizens to join anti-Leung rallies to give her movement more clout.

Hung's request is naive. Even if Leung were to resign, the authorities would be required to adhere to all existing electoral statues when organizing the election and a sudden change to have the CE chosen by an "at large" election among all eligible voters would be impossible. Clearly, these opponents are acting merely for the sake of opposition without consideration of the public interest or Hong Kong's stability. They will protest against whoever holds the position of CE in an attempt to overthrow the existing electoral mechanism. Given the fact that Hong Kong has already got an timetable to have universal suffrage in the 2017 election for CE, the opposition's attempt will be rendered futile.

Regarding his mishandling of the illegal structures issue, Leung has already made a number of apologies in public and answered inquires in person. Even though his answers might not be satisfying to the fullest extent, his sincerity and willingness to shoulder responsibility should be appreciated. Leung immediately took appropriate action to deal with his illegal structures once the problem was identified. Chan Mau-po, secretary of the Development Bureau, mentioned recently that Leung was so honest that he disclosed the location of unlicensed chambers, which in fact were exempted from the examination of the Transport and Housing Bureau. Hence, Leung's honesty is not in question.

Though Leung has led the administration for merely six months, his achievements are remarkable with a set of policies implemented, ranging from the establishment of the Commission on Poverty, policies to curb surging property prices, promoting the Northeast New Territories Development Plan, examining the possibility of a universal pension system and increasing the supply of residential flats by building bachelor apartments. His efforts during these six months are well recognized by both the central government and the people of Hong Kong. It is hoped that Leung can continue to strive for our citizens' welfare and interests despite all the setbacks.

This is an excerpted translation of a Hong Kong Commercial Daily editorial published on Jan 2.

(HK Edition 01/03/2013 page3)