Hong Kong’s likely leader pledges to “solidify” its international role

By Clare Jim and James Pomfret

HONG KONG (Reuters) -Hong Kong’s sole candidate to develop into its subsequent chief mapped out his coverage platform on Friday, saying his focus will likely be on enhancing town’s governance, growing the housing provide and sustaining its worldwide standing.

John Lee, 64, a former deputy head of police, is predicted to be appointed Hong Kong’s chief government in a variety course of on Might 8, with the backing of Beijing.

“We’re the entry to the mainland market. These are the strengths that won’t get replaced by any cities in China or any international locations on the planet,” Lee instructed reporters after the launch of his manifesto entitled “Beginning a brand new chapter for Hong Kong collectively”.

Lee is because of take over as the previous British colony’s chief government on July 1, changing Carrie Lam who’s stepping down on the finish of her first time period. Critics have blamed Lam for mishandling crises together with anti-government protests in 2019 and COVID-19.

Lee will take over the Chinese language-ruled metropolis amid rising concern within the monetary group that its function as a global hub of commerce could possibly be in danger.

The questions have been raised partly due to prolonged COVID lockdowns but additionally due to a 2020 nationwide safety regulation that critics, together with Western governments, say authorities have used to clamp down on opposition democrats, the media and free speech.

Hong Kong and Chinese language officers argue that the regulation has restored stability to Hong Kong and can safeguard its financial success.

Lee didn’t consult with the controversy over the regulation in his manifesto however mentioned he would search to protect Hong Kong’s “world inter-connectivity” and “solidify its place as a number one worldwide metropolis”.

Lee and a number of other different officers have been sanctioned by the US in 2020 over what it mentioned was their function in curbing town’s freedoms underneath the China-imposed nationwide safety regulation.

‘HOUSING IS KEY’

Chatting with supporters as he introduced his manifesto, Lee mentioned Hong Kong would develop a brand new metropolis space in its north on the border with mainland China and switch it into a brand new progress engine.

“It is a vital component for our integration with the GBA and mainland China,” he mentioned, referring to the Better Bay Space, a Chinese language authorities plan to hyperlink industrial centres across the mouth of the Pearl river.

“By the ‘Northern Metropolis’ we may have many improvement alternatives with Shenzhen to enrich with one another,” he mentioned, referring to the neighbouring Chinese language metropolis.

Lee mentioned the brand new improvement would additionally assist tackle the perennial drawback of inexpensive housing, and the federal government would streamline procedures to construct extra housing extra effectively.

“Housing is the important thing to unravel totally different points,” together with poverty and youth improvement, he mentioned.

Offering inexpensive housing has been a precedence for all of Hong Kong’s leaders for the reason that metropolis returned to Chinese language rule in 1997 however regardless of their efforts, many individuals nonetheless stay in cramped areas reminiscent of “cage houses” and sub-divided flats in one of many world’s costliest property markets.

Beijing recognized housing woes as a significant component behind discontent, particularly among the many metropolis’s youth, that led to the pro-democracy, anti-government protests in 2019.

Lee additionally mentioned he would restructure the Hong Kong administration to reinforce its governance functionality and strengthen its coverage analysis, with out giving specifics.

On the vexed query of safety, Lee mentioned in his manifesto he would lay the muse for stability by enacting extra safety legal guidelines and conducting thorough safety danger assessments in areas together with finance and infrastructure.

No different severe contenders have come ahead for the job of metropolis chief, not like on earlier events since Hong Kong returned to China underneath a “one nation, two methods” system geared toward preserving its freedoms.

(Enhancing by Robert Birsel)