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C. Fostering Harmony in the Community
27. The second theme of my Policy Address is to foster harmony in the community. This requires the concerted efforts of the Government and all sectors of the community. The public generally expects less confrontation and dispute and more harmony among ourselves. Many community organisations are striving to foster a harmonious society. For example, the Women's Commission has formulated its five-year objective of "Working Together for Social Harmony". On the basis of joint responsibility, the Government will strive to form partnerships with different organisations and sectors to engender a sense of friendship and mutual support.
28. Like other world cities, Hong Kong is inevitably drawn into the tides of globalisation, which have given rise to various social conflicts. That said, Hong Kong is much more peaceful than other big cities. We do not have any serious ethnic, religious or class conflicts. Our people embody the "Hong Kong spirit" with their "can-do" approach and "never-give-up" attitude. Hong Kong people are compassionate and generous. They display mutual respect and tolerance. The "Good People of Hong Kong" give me full confidence in our efforts to foster harmony in the community.
Upholding Social Justice
29. The pillars of Hong Kong's success include the rule of law upheld by an independent judiciary, the free flow of information, a clean government and a level playing field for business. They are also the foundations of a harmonious society. The SAR Government is determined to safeguard the rule of law, respect judicial independence, protect the rights and freedoms our people enjoy, and uphold social justice. We will ensure that our law enforcement agencies have sufficient powers and resources to maintain public order and protect the public interest under the law.
30. A major advantage that Hong Kong enjoys in global competition is our clean public and private sectors. This institutional feature is highly acclaimed in the international community and is the pride of our people. It is also a core value we must protect. The Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) has been playing a crucial role in building a clean society in Hong Kong. Its achievements are there for all to see. Under no circumstances will the Government waver in its determination to combat corruption. We will render full support to the work of the ICAC, as we have always done. We will also support the ICAC's efforts to improve the effectiveness of its law enforcement actions in response to changes in our legal system and our society. As Chief Executive, I accept the need for my office to be subject to anti-corruption regulation. To that end, the Government will introduce legislation into the Legislative Council as soon as possible to put in place the necessary legal regulatory procedures within the framework of the Basic Law.
31. We should act together to uphold pluralism and inclusiveness in our society, and oppose any form of discrimination. We will propose legislation to prohibit racial discrimination. Before introducing new policies and measures, we will insist on consideration of the different needs and perspectives of men and women and promote equality of the sexes and their opportunities to do their best. We will continue to promote the rights of children and sexual minorities, as well as racial harmony.
32. Hong Kong is a place that blends East and West. We are deeply rooted in Chinese culture, but have also adopted many values and customs common to many other societies and cultures. In Hong Kong, people live and work in harmony and with mutual respect, whether they come from different provinces in the Mainland or are overseas Chinese or ethnic Chinese, or nationals from all corners of the globe. We encourage the promotion of cultural diversity. Active interplay and convergence of different cultures enrich our own culture and give it a unique flavour. As a world city, Hong Kong has to be ready to embrace the world.
33. As an agent and guardian of Hong Kong's overall long-term interests, the Government is committed to upholding equity in its governance. We will adhere strictly to established systems and procedures in our dealings with the public, and impartially take care of the interests of various sectors. We will ensure that statutory bodies perform their functions effectively and collaborate with non-government organisations to secure equal opportunities for all in our society, especially in terms of receiving education, so that members of the community can upgrade themselves.
34. We will rally the efforts of all sectors to create favourable conditions for personal development, thereby creating more opportunities for upward mobility. To better equip our young people to find work and to raise the overall effectiveness of the Youth Pre-employment Training Programme, trainees will now have more skill courses, and a greater variety from which to choose. We will also increase the programme's workplace attachment training allowance from $1,000 to $2,000 to encourage more trainees to gain actual work experience. We have increased the number of fee-waiving places under the After School Care Programme so that more low-income family members can work. In addition, we will co-operate with schools to provide students with after-school learning and other support services. The three-year Capacity Building Mileage Programme launched by the Women's Commission has successfully encouraged women of different strata to pursue continuous learning and personal development. There have been over 6 000 enrolments in the programme in the past year and a half. We will continue to maintain close contact with different women's groups, to work together to promote women's participation in public affairs. To enhance employment services in remote areas, the Labour Department will set up job centres in Yuen Long and North District, increasing the number of job centres from 10 to 12. We will extend some temporary jobs in the public sector to meet operational needs. We will also relax the eligibility criteria of the Incentive Allowance Scheme for Local Domestic Helpers to promote the development of the local domestic helper market.
Encouraging Fair Competition
35. A level playing field that allows enterprising people to start and run their own businesses is important for sustaining the vitality and harmony of society. Hong Kong has long been recognised as the world's freest economy. The international community has commented very favourably about the upholding of fair competition in Hong Kong. However, as Hong Kong enterprises grow in strength, with some acquiring world-class status, coupled with an increased presence of multinational enterprises, it is possible that forces capable of cornering the market may emerge in Hong Kong.
36. The Government introduced a Statement on Competitive Policy in May 1998. Since then we have gained experience from the implementation of sector-specific competition policies. The results we have achieved in promoting competition in the telecommunications market have been particularly noteworthy. To ensure that our competition policy continues to serve the public interest and provide a business-friendly environment, and in response to the views of Legislative Councillors and the public, we appointed a Competition Policy Review Committee a few months ago. The newly established independent Committee, chaired by a Non-official with members drawn from different sectors, is tasked to review the effectiveness of our existing competition policy. The Committee will consider, among other things, whether the implementation of our policy is in line with the times, and whether available investigative powers are adequate. The Committee will also draw on international experience and discuss the need to introduce in Hong Kong a comprehensive and cross-sector law on fair competition, as well as its scope and application. The Committee expects its review to be completed in mid-2006.
37. We do not seek to intervene in the market. Rather, we want to actively protect market order and fair competition by preventing manipulative practices such as price fixing, bid rigging and market sharing. Any additional measures, including legislation, will aim to facilitate new ventures by individuals and help small and medium enterprises operate and grow. We can take reference from the comprehensive competition laws enacted in scores of jurisdictions so that we can avoid as far as possible any negative impact stemming from legislation or other related measures. Hong Kong enterprises have always embraced competition and thrived in a competitive setting. I believe they will support our effort in maintaining a climate of free and fair competition.
Development of Welfare Services
38. We cannot turn a blind eye to those factors that threaten long-term harmony in society. These include: employment difficulties for workers with low academic qualifications and skills; declining real pay levels in certain jobs; the polarisation of the middle class; a widening income gap; an ageing population; adaptability problems for some new arrivals from the Mainland; and serious challenges to traditional family values. We must address these issues.
39. Any society has its own disadvantaged groups. They deserve appropriate care. Social welfare in Hong Kong needs sustainable development, and our welfare agencies and professional social workers are required to play an important role. The Government will continue its partnership with the social welfare sector and endeavour to promote the development of welfare services. More and more enterprises are willing to shoulder social responsibilities by providing various forms of assistance to disadvantaged groups. Individuals and families also have a most important role to play and cannot over-rely on Government and community support. The Government has, through the Community Investment and Inclusion Fund and the Partnership Fund for the Disadvantaged, supported various projects, and actively promoted partnership with the business community, the social welfare sector and community organisations. These seek to build social capital, promote corporate social responsibility, encourage responsibility sharing by the family and individuals, and develop community support networks so that people can help one another as well as themselves, and create conditions for fostering social harmony.
(To be continued)
Ends/Wednesday, October 12, 2005
Issued at HKT 11:36
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