Consultation for Policy Address starts Monday: CE

Chief Executive John Lee on Thursday said the government would launch the public consultation for the upcoming Policy Address on Monday. The consultation sessions will run alongside the ongoing consultation for the SAR’s first five-year plan, which was launched last week. Speaking to the media after meeting education sector representatives, Lee said authorities have held over 10 consultation sessions for the five-year blueprint and collected nearly 1,000 suggestions so far. He said the five-year plan and the annual Policy Address are closely related, adding that the public could put forward their suggestions for both policy blueprints at the same time. “We heard some citizens telling us that their opinions are applicable to both Hong Kong's five-year plan and the Policy Address,” Lee said. “For their convenience, and to save time, we will gather suggestions for the five-year plan and the Policy Address in the remaining consultation sessions. “No matter how citizens choose to submit their opinions, the government will organise and analyse them, and appropriately incorporate them into the two documents.” Lee also said his meeting with the education sector on the development of a university town in the Northern Metropolis was helpful in drafting the city’s first five-year plan. Meanwhile, the chairman of the University Grants Committee, Tim Lui, said the five-year plan would provide clear guidance for tertiary institutions. “The plan is very flexible, as the framework does not limit an institution's development mode and projects within the university town,” he said. “This shows that the government highly respects the autonomy of institutions, and hopes to encourage them to leverage their own resources, mission, and strengths to develop various projects in the area.” Lui said the plan highlights the development of the university town and building an international education hub, aligning with the national 15th Five-Year Plan. Edited by Tony Sabine