5-year plan to boost livelihoods, policy address to set out concrete measures: John Lee
Hong Kong’s leader has pledged to improve residents’ livelihoods through long-term strategies in the city’s first five-year plan, with concrete measures to be set out in the coming policy address. Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu said on Sunday that the administration would continue to uphold its people-oriented governance philosophy, focus on residents’ needs and push Hong Kong forward. His…
Hong Kong's leader, John Lee Ka-chiu, has outlined plans to enhance residents' livelihoods and well-being through a comprehensive five-year strategy, with specific measures to be detailed in an upcoming policy address. The administration reaffirmed its commitment to people-oriented governance, prioritizing residents' needs and driving the city forward.
Lee is set to unveil Hong Kong's inaugural five-year plan and deliver the policy address on September 16. The documents are intended to complement each other, providing a roadmap for long-term development while outlining annual improvements in areas such as housing, livelihood, and medical care.
In preparation for the policy address and five-year plan, the government conducted public consultations over the past two months. Lee highlighted the importance of incorporating public feedback to shape sustainable economic growth and create new opportunities for Hong Kong. Video testimonials from residents showcased the impact of government initiatives, with one subdivided flat tenant, Mrs. Ng, praising the community living room project for helping her son with special educational needs.
A working parent, Mr. Cheung, commended the School-based After School Care Service Scheme for supporting his daughter's education and extracurricular activities. Ethnic minority care teams reported proactive outreach to over 18,000 households, conducting around 10,000 family visits to understand their needs.
The Society for Community Organisation's deputy director, Ms. Sze Lai-shan, emphasized the need to prioritize poverty alleviation and protect employment opportunities for low-income residents. She suggested subsidies for jobseekers and relaxed asset limits for social security recipients to encourage savings among the underprivileged.
Ms. Sze also advocated expanding existing social services, such as extending the operating hours of the School-based After School Care Service Scheme and increasing the community living room network. The government aims to further develop the community living room network by opening communal centers or schools, while care teams should focus on identifying high-risk households, including low-income seniors with serious illnesses and individuals recovering from mental health issues.
Written by urgent.news from South China Morning Post's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
