Bright future:
Mr Leung addresses a reception to celebrate the 16th anniversary of the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region at the Convention & Exhibition Centre.
Bright future:
Mr Leung addresses a reception to celebrate the 16th anniversary of the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region at the Convention & Exhibition Centre.
Government committed to serve: CE
July 01, 2013
Chief Executive CY Leung has pledged the Government will continue serving Hong Kong in a pragmatic and proactive manner, aiming at greater progress to address political, social, economic and livelihood issues.
Mr Leung attended the flag-raising ceremony to celebrate the 16th anniversary of the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region at Golden Bauhinia Square in Wan Chai with other principal officials and guests this morning.
He then addressed a reception at the Convention & Exhibition Centre, saying the current-term Government has in the past year implemented some of the policies that he advocated in his manifesto.
These policies included measures to address the influx of pregnant Mainland mothers, some without appointment, to give birth in Hong Kong; cross-boundary school children and their admission to local schools; a shortage of baby formula; and disruptions at train stations caused by parallel goods traders.
Mr Leung said housing remains the policy area of highest priority. Land supply in the short, medium and long terms will continue to increase.
The Government has already secured sufficient land to meet the target set by the previous-term Government of developing 75,000 public rental housing units in five years, and has been working hard to raise the production target to meet the demand from eligible people as early as possible, he added.
On the political front, the current-term Government will, with the greatest sincerity and commitment, work for the implementation of universal suffrage for the Chief Executive Election in 2017 in accordance with the provisions of the Basic Law and the relevant decisions of the National People's Congress Standing Committee by launching a consultation at an appropriate juncture.
Mr Leung called for people holding divergent views to set aside their differences and seek consensus as far as possible in an accommodating, pragmatic and peaceful manner.
Economic growth is the key to solving long-standing livelihood issues, such as poverty, and an ageing society, Mr Leung stressed.
A joint working group for implementation of the Mainland and Hong Kong Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement, or CEPA, has held its first meeting earlier to further facilitate Hong Kong in accessing the huge Mainland market.
Mr Leung said opportunities and challenges exist side by side in Hong Kong's future development. The Government will continue to tackle challenges ahead and strive for the successful implementation of 'One country, two systems'.
