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Following is the full text of the 2005-06 Policy Address - Strong Governance For the People - by the Chief Executive, Mr Donald Tsang, in the Legislative Council today (October 12):
Madam President,
A. Introduction
1. Since the last Policy Address, Hong Kong has undergone significant changes. It is moving forward with new vigour, confidence and ambition to embrace the future. I have reviewed our recent work with colleagues and listened extensively to the views of the community on what I may accomplish in the remaining 20 months of my term. We fully understand the enormity of our task. We need to prioritise the needs and aspirations of various sectors and decide on the direction and focus of our work. I am honoured to deliver my Policy Address today. It builds on our past achievements and delivers on the pledges I made during the Chief Executive Election campaign. I have pledged to secure a "people-based" government which pursues excellent governance, a harmonious community and widespread economic growth. I believe this is the common wish of the people.
2. Hong Kong stands on the threshold of a new beginning. The economy is recovering. People's lives are improving and the "feel-good" factor has returned. Mainstream public opinion is for stability, harmony and continued progress. Members of the public have placed their trust in the Government. Once again, the people of Hong Kong have proved their ability to meet any challenge. Their resilience in the face of adversity as well as their will and ability to reach new heights are as strong as ever.
3. I take to heart the people's trust in me. The Government will diligently respond to the expectations of our community and country. To demonstrate that we are a credible, pragmatic and accountable administration, I will only include in this Policy Address those measures and policies that are capable of implementation within the current term of this Government. Public opinion underpins the strength of our leadership. Enhancing people's well-being is the first order of business of good governance. I have extensively taken into account the views expressed during rounds of consultations. We will seriously attend to policy initiatives that may take longer to achieve results. And, we will seize every opportunity to start long-term strategic initiatives as well as taking measures to provide immediate relief or deal with crises that impact on our overall interests. We must lay a solid foundation for our long-term development. My vision is to succeed in implementing "One Country, Two Systems", to achieve new results that make us proud, and to contribute our utmost to the modernisation of our country.
B. Pursuing Excellence in Governance
4. Pursuing excellence in governance is the most pressing public demand on the SAR Government today. We need a strong government to implement "One Country, Two Systems", promote social harmony, and enhance economic growth. Strong government is a prerequisite for economic development. A harmonious society, itself founded on strong government and economic development, will create a favourable environment to achieve these goals. These three elements are interwoven, and of equal importance.
Vision of Strong Governance
5. When I talk of "strong governance" I mean a government that operates in strict accordance with the law. The political system established under the Basic Law envisions the Hong Kong SAR to practise "executive-led" government. The Chief Executive is the head of the SAR and leader of the SAR Government. He is responsible for implementing the Basic Law and the other laws of Hong Kong, determining government policies and issuing executive orders, nominating Principal Officials, appointing or removing judges and holders of public office in accordance with statutory procedures, and exercising other important powers and functions. The SAR Government is responsible for exercising the six major powers and functions of formulating and implementing policies, compiling and proposing the Budget and drafting and introducing legislation. The formulation and implementation of policies such as land administration and usage, financial and monetary affairs, civil aviation and shipping, education and technology, culture and sports, public order and social welfare all fall within the ambit of the Executive Authorities. My Administration will faithfully and responsibly exercise all these powers and functions vested in us under the Basic Law.
6. The SAR Government exercises its powers and functions in great transparency and under the watchful eye of the public. To me, a strong government does not work behind closed doors. Rather, it heeds public opinion, adopting the public interest as the guiding principle and accepting wide public participation in policy formulation. A government that operates this way is often characterised as having a clear direction, consistency in policy making, forceful and decisive leadership that is efficient and effective.
7. Strong government hinges on the political skills and the cohesion and co-operation of the governing team. As the Chief Executive, I have to be up to the task of political leadership. My foremost job is to fully grasp Hong Kong's political landscape. I must adequately understand public sentiment, anticipate future opportunities and challenges, decide on the overall policy direction, enhance the good relationship between the Central Authorities and the SAR, secure the community's trust and support for the Government, strengthen co-operation with the Legislative Council, and create a political and social environment conducive to effective governance.
8. To allow me to focus on political issues and to enhance institutional and operational efficiency, I will authorise the Chief Secretary for Administration (CS) and the Financial Secretary (FS) to play the important role in policy co-ordination. They will be tasked to ensure government policies are properly staged, public resources are efficiently used, and duplication, inaction and ineffective action are avoided. Our aim is to better deliver on our performance pledges and to raise the community's trust in the Government.
9. To ensure that the CS and FS can effectively carry out their tasks, I will clearly define their portfolios, and work closely with them. For day-to-day operations, all Secretaries of Bureaux will report to them. The CS and FS will use the Policy Committee, comprising the Secretary for Justice and all Secretaries of Bureaux, as the main platform for policy co-ordination and initial clearance. The Committee will carefully consider all policy proposals before they are submitted to the Chief Executive in Council for deliberation and decision.
10. The Basic Law stipulates 10 powers and functions of the Legislative Council, including the enactment and amendment of laws, and specifies four areas where the SAR Government is accountable to the legislature. In full recognition of the status, powers and functions of the Legislative Council, my colleagues and I will strengthen communication with Honourable Members, let them understand our thinking on policy and legislation as early as possible, listen to their views, and foster co-operation. As long as the Executive Authorities and the Legislative Council exercise their powers and perform their functions as laid down explicitly in the Basic Law, they will complement each other and operate with due checks and balances. The issue of one bypassing the other does not arise. In addition, both the Executive Authorities and the legislature must exercise their powers and functions in a highly transparent manner in Hong Kong. If both follow mainstream public opinion, they should naturally work on a common policy agenda that would form a strong foundation to bring about effective governance, in line with people's expectations.
Strengthening the Relationship with the Central Authorities and the Mainland
11. A good relationship between the Central Authorities and the SAR is the cornerstone for the successful implementation of "One Country, Two Systems". It is also a prerequisite for our sustained economic growth and constitutional development. There is increasing recognition by the people of Hong Kong that we and our Mainland compatriots are of the same blood. We share a common interest and destiny. We ride on the same boat. In recent years, exchanges between Hong Kong and the Central Authorities, indeed exchanges with all of the Mainland, have intensified. This has led to a broadening of contacts and much closer ties. We complement each other, and we both reap substantial benefits as a result.
12. With more exchanges between Hong Kong and the Mainland, the SAR Government must engage in more dialogue with the Central Authorities and other Mainland authorities at all levels. I will actively promote contacts and exchanges between the SAR and the Central Authorities. All Principal Officials and Permanent Secretaries will visit Beijing and other places in the Mainland more frequently to enhance communication and mutual understanding and to engage in discussions on substantive issues. Here, I would like to urge all Honourable Members of this Council, District Councillors and members of the public to be increasingly concerned about matters affecting our country, to open up more communication channels and to have more contacts with the Mainland. We will, through different measures, familiarise our officials with Mainland affairs and major national policies and encourage more Mainland visits by Legislative Councillors. We will increase promotion of the Basic Law and civic education to enhance Hong Kong people's understanding of, and concern for, our country.
13. The SAR Government has established the Office of the Government of the HKSAR in Beijing and the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Guangdong. To further promote our exchanges and co-operation with eastern China and the southwestern region, and to provide additional support services to Hong Kong people visiting the Mainland, the SAR Government will discuss with the Central Authorities setting up additional offices in Shanghai and Chengdu. To better co-ordinate the promotion of closer ties with the Mainland, and to facilitate exchanges and co-operation with Guangdong, the Pan-Pearl River Delta (Pan-PRD) and many other areas in the Mainland, I have decided to expand the powers and functions of the Constitutional Affairs Bureau by establishing a Mainland Affairs Liaison Office within it. This office will oversee the work of the existing Hong Kong Guangdong Co-operation Co-ordination Unit and all our offices in the Mainland.
14. Hong Kong deputies to the National People's Congress (NPC) are elected locally in accordance with the law to participate in the work of the highest organ of state power. Hong Kong members of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) participate in discussions on state affairs. Both play an important role and have a better understanding of the Central Authorities and the Mainland. The SAR Government will forge closer ties with NPC deputies and CPPCC members so that they may better play their role.
(To be continued)
Ends/Wednesday, October 12, 2005
Issued at HKT 11:15
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