CE responds to people’s concerns

September 19, 2025

Voiceover:
Chief Executive John Lee attended a radio phone-in programme this morning to further elaborate on his governing tenets and listen to citizen’s feedback about the 2025 Policy Address. 

Mr Lee highlighted that the Northern Metropolis is the new growth engine for Hong Kong and the Government is accelerating the project to expedite its development.

Chief Executive John Lee:
Basically, in the Policy Address, I have laid out the framework for simplifying administrative procedures and, at the same time, trying to create legislation so that we can fast-track some development. 

At the same time, I think I need (to) focus on several areas. So, under me there will be three working groups. They, respectively, will look at operational models, that will be headed by the Financial Secretary. 

And then, there will be a team to study for building our University City.

The third area is, basically, to ensure that the planning and development of the whole Northern Metropolis can be supervised.

Voiceover:
Also during the programme, Mr Lee responded to concerns about the high cost of living and doing business in Hong Kong and described the caller's comment as hitting the nail on the head.

Chief Executive John Lee:
The Government is in a dilemma here, because when we make a policy, one thing is important, which is we have to make it in accordance with reality. 

The land cost has been as it is for many years. And my policy on land cost is that I want it to (be) stabilised because going suddenly very high or very low will create big uncertainty.

So, whenever I make changes, I have to decide whether it will be a progressive change or a drastic change. 

In respect to labour cost, there have been a lot of theories about how it can be reduced. Obviously, import of labour is one (of the possible solutions). But then I have to take care of the over three million workforce in Hong Kong. 

It is not my intention to use imported labour to reduce the wages of our workers. 

Voiceover:
In this latest Policy Address, the Chief Executive stressed that improving people’s livelihood is the ultimate goal and rolled out measures aiding social development including promoting fertility. 

He also announced in his annual address the double tax allowance for parents with newborns is to be extended from one year to two years.

Chief Executive John Lee:
I encourage people to have children. 

First of all, I believe in the families being the nucleus of a society and for it to prosper. Because you need people to feel that this is their home. And then they will devote their efforts. So, I (put an) emphasis on childbearing. 

The trend of Hong Kong’s fertility rate being on the downward trend has been (seen) over many years. But since the roll out of policies, the figures of year 2023 and 2024 have shown a reversion.

Voiceover:
Furthermore, Mr Lee noted that the Government has been working hard to boost Hong Kong’s attractiveness for both businesses and residents, focusing on the economy and quality of living.

Chief Executive John Lee attended a radio phone-in programme today to elaborate on his governing tenets and listen to citizens’ feedback about the 2025 Policy Address.

He highlighted that the Northern Metropolis is Hong Kong’s new growth engine, adding that the Government is accelerating the project to expedite its development.

“In the Policy Address, I have laid out the framework for simplifying administrative procedures and, at the same time, trying to create legislation so that we can fast-track some development.

“At the same time, I think I need to focus on several areas. So, under me there will be three working groups.”

The three working groups are under the newly-formed Committee on Development of the Northern Metropolis, which Mr Lee will chair. They include the Working Group on Devising Development & Operation Models, the Working Group on Planning & Construction of the University Town and the Working Group on Planning & Development.

During the programme, Mr Lee also responded to concerns about issues relating to the cost of land and labour.

“The land cost has been as it is for many years. And my policy on land cost is that I want it to (be) stabilised because going suddenly very high or very low will create big uncertainty,” Mr Lee said.

“So, whenever I make changes, I have to decide whether it will be a progressive change or a drastic change,” he added.

As for labour cost, Mr Lee said he needs to take care of the over three million workforce of Hong Kong, emphasising that he has no intention of using imported labour to reduce workers’ wages.

Moreover, Mr Lee announced in this latest Policy Address the extension of the double tax allowance for parents with newborns from one year to two years. The Chief Executive stressed that family is the nucleus of society.

“Because you need people to feel that this is their home. And then they will devote their efforts. So I (put an) emphasis on childbearing,” Mr Lee said.

“The trend of Hong Kong’s fertility rate being on the downward trend has been (seen) over many years. But since the roll out of policies, the figures of the years 2023 and 2024 have shown a reversion,” he added.

Furthermore, Mr Lee noted that the Government is striving to boost Hong Kong’s attractiveness, not just for businesses to prosper but also for its residents to have a better quality of life.