'HK's first five-year plan won't see revised version'

Chief Executive John Lee has announced that Hong Kong's inaugural five-year plan will not include a revised edition, even if it fails to meet performance standards. However, the Policy Address must explain the reasons behind the shortcomings. During an interview, Lee explained that he drew inspiration from the nation's five-year plans while creating the 105 indicators for the Special Administrative Region's version, which were tailored to Hong Kong's unique circumstances.

He emphasized that all indicators related to economic, social, and governance aspects must be achieved, and this would be accomplished through the implementation of the annual policy blueprint. For instance, Lee stated that an economic growth goal aligned with the global average has been set; yet, unforeseen events such as disrupted global supply chains could arise, necessitating a response in the relevant year's Policy Address.

Lee stressed that the justification for such actions must be comprehensive. He added that when SAR chief executives visit Beijing, they must also report to the president about unexpected circumstances, and subsequently, take remedial measures to prevent public hardship. The government plans to enhance the 1823 service hotline, potentially using artificial intelligence to identify recurring issues and improve overall satisfaction, currently at 4.6 out of 5 points.

Lee explained that complaints involving multiple departments often lead to overlapping responsibilities or a lack of responsibility, but AI can assign cases to designated departments, ensuring effective handling. The deputy chief secretary will also step in when coordination issues occur, making the final decision on responsibility allocation.

Regarding the government's goal of resolving substandard subdivided units by 2030, Lee emphasized a gradual approach rather than an "extreme and high-pressure" strategy. With the registration rate under the Basic Housing Unit regime reaching 65 percent so far, Lee believes this indicates that the majority of operators intend to conduct their business legally. The government will conduct random inspections at both illegal and registered sites.