(Fighting New Crown Pneumonia) Zhang Jianzong: A Rainbow Benefit Measures in the Haze
China News Agency, Hong Kong, March 1-The Chief Secretary for Administration of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Zhang Jianzong, published a blog titled "A Rainbow in the Haze Comes to Benefit the People" on March 1. He said that the SAR Government has successively introduced a large number of measures to benefit the people, which can be said to be one after another. The 2020-2021 Budget is a breakthrough, highlighting the determination and commitment of the accountability team of the entire SAR Government to lead Hong Kong through difficult times.
Data Map: The Chief Secretary for Administration of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Zhang Jianzong. Photo by China News Agency reporter Shanghang Mai
Zhang Jianzong said that since last year, Hong Kong has been dragged down by unfavorable factors and experienced a very difficult year in economic and social development. With the slowdown of global economic growth, the haze of Sino-US trade friction, and the social events involving violence last year for more than half a year, it severely hit the development of society, economy and people's livelihood. The new crown pneumonia epidemic worsens Hong Kong and constitutes a "triple blow."
He pointed out that the Hong Kong economy had recorded a slight growth of only 0.6% in the first half of 2019, and had even worsened sharply in the second half of the year. The total contraction for the whole year was 1.2%, which was the first annual decline in 10 years, and it was in very strong contrast with the steady growth of the previous two years.
He said that under the "epidemic", the 2020 to 2021 Budget was breakthrough. In extraordinary times, the SAR Government has used the fiscal reserves accumulated over the years to focus on "supporting enterprises, protecting employment, boosting the economy, and alleviating the plight of the people", and has decisively and pragmatically launched a counter-cyclical measure of 120 billion Hong Kong dollars. The "Budget" is committed to maintaining the momentum of economic growth, stabilizing the economy and supporting the job market, highlighting the determination and commitment of the accountability team of the entire SAR Government to lead Hong Kong through difficult times.
He also pointed out that the "Budget" not only meets the social development and people's livelihood needs during the economic downturn, but also makes forward-looking plans for Hong Kong's long-term response to challenges. Measures include investing resources to strengthen medical facilities and manpower, consolidating traditional industries and developing emerging industries. To broaden Hong Kong's economic base.
He said that the SAR Government has successively introduced a large number of measures to benefit the people, which can be said to be one after another. The SAR Government will closely monitor the impact of various factors on Hong Kong's economy and people's livelihood, assess the actual situation in a timely manner, so as to introduce new measures in a timely manner to respond, and ensure the sustainability of public finances, prudently cooperate with governance and make the best use of it. He hopes that the Legislative Council of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region will approve the appropriation bill of the Budget as soon as possible so that the measures can be implemented as soon as possible for the benefit of the people. (Finish)