(To watch the 2021 Policy Address speech with sign language interpretation, click here.)

Measures are in the pipeline to reorganise policy bureaus to complement the Government’s policy focuses and meet social expectations, Chief Executive Carrie Lam said.

Unveiling her 2021 Policy Address today, Chief Executive Carrie Lam said the current-term Government shall consult various sectors and stakeholders to devise a reorganisation plan for the next-term Government’s consideration and implementation.

She suggested to set up a Culture, Sports & Tourism Bureau to consolidate the culture portfolio as well as the creative industries and tourism portfolio currently under the Home Affairs Bureau and the Commerce & Economic Development Bureau.

Her second proposal calls for splitting the Transport & Housing Bureau so that the new Transport Bureau can focus on transport infrastructure, public transport services and traffic management.

The third suggestion is to explore whether there is room to rationalise the work of the Housing Bureau upon the split and the Development Bureau, which is responsible for land development and public works, in order to expedite land supply for housing.

The fourth proposal entails expanding the Innovation & Technology Bureau into the Innovation, Technology & Industry Bureau to change the perception that local industries are declining and highlight the role of I&T in Hong Kong.

Her final suggestion involves reorganising the Home Affairs Bureau into the Youth & District Affairs Bureau with the goal of stepping up efforts to address district issues of daily concern to the public and offering a one-stop platform for supporting youth development.

Mrs Lam said: “I hope that the new‑term Legislative Council may commence discussion on the reorganisation of policy bureaus immediately upon its formation. In the next few months, I and all secretaries of departments and directors of bureaus will exchange views with stakeholders on this matter and formulate detailed proposals.”

Strengthening the governing team

The Chief Executive also addressed plans to boost the governing team by reviewing the existing promotion and appointment mechanism of senior civil service positions to ensure the best person for the job.

Concerning manpower deployment, Mrs Lam emphasised that she encourages colleagues to play an advocacy role in specific areas.

“In this respect, the work of creating dedicated commissioner posts with specific responsibilities, such as Commissioner for Heritage, Commissioner for Sports and Commissioner for the Development of the Guangdong‑Hong Kong‑Macao Greater Bay Area, is bearing fruit. The dedicated commissioner posts serve to highlight the importance the Government attaches to the relevant policy areas.

“I have suggested to directors of bureaus that they may make greater use of commissioner posts to take forward the relevant work. The post of Commissioner for Children, for example, should be conducive to helping the Labour & Welfare Bureau promote child protection, whereas the post of Commissioner for Harbourfront should facilitate the beautification of the harbourfront by the Development Bureau, both within and outside the Government,” she added.

Mrs Lam also requested all secretaries of departments and directors of bureaus, with the support of the Director of Information Services and his team, to place more emphasis on information dissemination and public communication on government policies.