*********************************************
10. I advocate the concept of "Progressive Development", in achieving these three goals. I will explain how this concept will chart the course for Hong Kong's development. On this basis, we will endeavour to forge a consensus in the community. Over the past decade, there has been too much controversy and too little consensus. Time and opportunities have passed us by while we got caught up in endless debates.
11. "Progressive Development" is envisioned to be realised by:
(1) Promoting economic development through infrastructure projects: History tells us how the Hong Kong economy took off in the 1970s, and developed progressively into a modern international metropolis. The large-scale infrastructure projects implemented in the 1970s and 1990s provided the impetus for rapid growth. Apart from upgrading urban development, infrastructure projects bring about higher employment, wage increases and real economic benefits. As we embark upon the 21st century, we will push ahead with 10 major infrastructure projects, details of which will follow.
(2) Promoting community development through revitalisation: In pursuing further development, we must attach importance to environmental protection and heritage conservation. To protect our environment, we need a two-pronged approach. Apart from enacting legislation, we need to engage the business sector and the public to enhance their awareness and rally their support to protect the environment with a view to changing some of our daily habits. As for heritage conservation, emphasis should not be placed solely on the preservation of historic buildings. We should also seek to revitalise these buildings in order that they may become an integral and lively part of the local community, which in turn will generate wider social and economic benefits.
(3) Promoting social harmony under the concept of helping people to help themselves: While globalisation spurs development, some people are not yet able to share the fruits of prosperity. In my view, the Government should not attempt to narrow the wealth gap by redistributing wealth through high levels of tax and welfare. The role of the Government should be confined to creating the social conditions that help improve the livelihoods of people with low income using a multi-pronged policy approach. This includes promoting infrastructure development to achieve higher wages; developing soft infrastructure on all fronts including expanding retraining programmes to help the middle class and the grassroots upgrade their skills - this will improve their competitiveness in an ever-evolving labour market; creating employment opportunities at the community level through social enterprises based on tri-partite collaboration between the Government, the community and the business sector; continuing to invest heavily in education and fostering social mobility to reduce cross-generational poverty; and, adding value to social capital as the target of welfare services development in the future.
Government, Enterprises and Individuals
12. To realise "Progressive Development" the Government, enterprises and individuals all have different roles to play. I adhere to the principle of "Big Market, Small Government", and to containing public expenditure below 20% of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) as far as possible. However, I object to a dichotomy between the roles played by the Government and the market, whether it be a strong belief in the omnipotence of government intervention or a passionate support of the free market being sacrosanct. Both are sweeping generalisations. In striving for economic growth, complex and unique relationships exist among different sectors of our economy. We should take a practical look at the respective responsibilities of the Government, enterprises and individuals.
13. In my view, the Government's role is mainly to formulate policies conducive to sustainable development so that every citizen has the opportunity to share the fruits of prosperity and progress. The Government needs to balance the political, economic and social demands of different interest groups in the community, and to make progress while maintaining stability. It should take the lead at the policy-making level in certain areas such as promoting economic integration with the Mainland, taking forward cross-boundary infrastructure projects and making joint efforts to develop a world-class metropolis.
14. As for enterprises in today's society, they should no longer just perform a pure economic role - they should also shoulder social responsibility. The Government can achieve social goals through consultation with our enterprises. Regulation by legislative means should be a last resort. I will mobilise our enterprises to actively participate in wage protection, environmental protection, heritage conservation and building a caring society.
15. At the individual level, I will promote the family as the mainstream social core value through various policies to help our people adapt to the social changes brought about by globalisation. The Government will invest more on each member of our community. Every one of us should seize these opportunities and fully equip ourselves. Our people should move with the times, actively embrace the new economy and meet the demands of the changing world in a way that befits the new Hongkongers.
An Era of Consensus
16. The world is changing at an unprecedented pace in history. A city may rise or fall in no time. Hong Kong needs to foster consensus on its future and promote internal cohesion so that all citizens, enterprises and the Government can progress together. Only in this way will Hong Kong rise to a new level of development and meet the challenges of a changing world.
17. I will now go into the details of the policy items, which aim to realise the pledges made during my election campaign and lay the foundations for our society to build consensus.
(To be continued)
Ends/Wednesday, October 10, 2007
Issued at HKT 11:14
NNNN
