China News Agency, Hong Kong, August 1st: Li Jiachao's new full moon: My biggest expectation is to do more for Hong Kong
China News Agency reporter Suo Youwei
This year marks the 25th anniversary of Hong Kong's return to the motherland, and the next five years will be the key five years for Hong Kong's "governance and prosperity". The central government has high hopes for the new SAR government.
How does the Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Li Jiachao, feel this month?
What is the biggest difficulty facing Hong Kong in the next five years?
When dealing with these difficult problems, how to deal with the relationship between "process" and "result"?
Regarding the realization of normal customs clearance with the mainland that is concerned by all walks of life, what considerations and measures does Li Jiachao have?
On the full moon in his new post, Li Jiachao accepted an exclusive interview with China News Agency "China Focus Face-to-face" to respond and interpret these issues.
Excerpts from the interview are as follows:
Do more for Hong Kong, the motivation is growing
China News Agency reporter: Since you took the oath of office on July 1, we have noticed that your schedule is very tight and rich. What is your biggest feeling since you took office for a month, and is it different from your expected thinking and effect?
Li Jiachao: The biggest feeling is that there is a lot of work and many problems to be solved, but this is also an important driving force.
I am very honored to be the Chief Executive. My greatest hope is to do more for Hong Kong and solve the problems of the common people.
So from taking office to now, although the work is really busy, the motivation is getting stronger and stronger.
I am also very grateful to my team, their governance philosophy is very consistent with me, and they are very practical, hoping to solve problems and do practical things for the common people.
China News Agency reporter: This is also just like the "same new chapter for Hong Kong" that you proposed when you ran for the election. What you emphasize most is the word "tong".
Li Jiachao: When I say "same", of course, our team must be united, but there is a bigger concept of "same", which is the whole society.
I hope that the government can unite the forces of society and all walks of life, so that 1+1 can be bigger than 2. I also hope that everyone will work together to create a better tomorrow for Hong Kong.
On the full moon in his new post, the Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Li Jiachao, accepted an exclusive interview with China News Agency's "China Focus Face-to-face" to respond and interpret a series of questions.
Photo by China News Agency reporter Zhang Wei
Get back in time as soon as possible
China News Service reporter: In your opinion, what is the biggest problem facing Hong Kong in the next five years?
How do you deal with the relationship between "process" and "result" when faced with these challenges?
Li Jiachao: I think many problems have their difficulties, because most problems are cumulative.
Of course, there are some that can be solved relatively quickly. For example, under strong overall planning or by concentrating efforts to solve the pain points that the people care about, such as the environment in some regions, they can be dealt with relatively quickly, but many (problems) are accumulated, especially It's a housing issue. Even though each (SAR) government has worked hard to solve the problem, there was a period of time when we didn't build houses or develop land vigorously, so we need to recover the time as soon as possible. It's easy, but it has to be faced.
I also mentioned the issue of land and housing in my campaign platform. First of all, we must "increase speed, volume, and efficiency", and push everything that can be done a little earlier, so I put forward the plan of "going upstairs in advance", even if the time is ahead It may be a few months, but for ordinary families who have been waiting for a long time, a few months are also very important, because they have very urgent requirements for housing.
Our land supply is certainly sufficient in the long run, ten years, but ten years is too long.
I hope to bring this supply forward, if possible, try to do it one year, two years or three years, and compress all unnecessary procedures.
And overall planning is also important, because it involves different departments, if the coordination is good, the effect will be better if several departments do it together.
In terms of housing, I have set up two working groups, and the working group will submit a preliminary proposal within 100 days of taking office.
Both groups are led by director-level officials. The purpose is to have high-level leadership. In terms of efficiency, we hope to do better, and in terms of command, we hope to do the best, and the obedience of all departments will be more effective. , focus on solving this problem.
Take reducing the inconvenience of traveling between the two places as the first goal
China News Service reporter: We also noticed that you faced the "customs clearance" problem and proposed a "halfway plan" after taking office. However, the epidemic situation in Hong Kong has recently rebounded.
According to Hong Kong's own characteristics and environment, how do you think this goal of fighting the epidemic can be achieved as soon as possible?
Li Jiachao: No matter from what angle, we must try our best in all aspects (to achieve this goal).
First, our integration with the mainland is so close, and the entire development of Hong Kong must be integrated into the overall development of the country in addition to China Unicom.
Therefore, it is very important to have normal exchanges with the mainland as soon as possible, and Hong Kong residents have great demands in this regard.
But we must also be pragmatic. Hong Kong now has more than 4,000 cases (confirmed cases of the new crown) every day, and the trend is still rising. The mainland is also under pressure to control the epidemic. The inconvenience of the land, as my first goal, of course I have to talk to my colleagues in the Mainland.
Of course, the time may be longer, so the first step may be to reduce inconvenience as the first goal, and then gradually achieve normal exchanges.
Hong Kong also needs to do its own epidemic control and suppress the confirmed cases (cases), so I have asked for a more precise method to control the epidemic, including data analysis, and the people who need to be controlled must be well controlled.
On the full moon in his new post, the Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Li Jiachao, accepted an exclusive interview with China News Agency's "China Focus Face-to-face" to respond and interpret a series of questions.
Photo by China News Agency reporter Zhang Wei
Executive leadership, the first to lead, the second to take the initiative
China News Service reporter: The blueprint for the construction of the northern metropolitan area has been drawn up. Hong Kong is also accelerating its integration into the overall development of the country and the construction of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. How will it "better combine a promising government with an efficient market"?
Li Jiachao: The northern metropolitan area is a big plan, and I will personally lead it. My current idea is to divide this big plan into short-term, medium-term and long-term phases, and in the implementation process, we can use what I just mentioned.” Speed, volume, and efficiency”, each link is compressed after the blueprint is planned to improve efficiency.
The second is to combine a promising government with market advantages.
When we want to solve a problem, we must think about it from this perspective.
When dealing with housing prices in Hong Kong, we already have a similar combination of market and government.
To put it simply, we used to worry that house prices would rise too fast, so we increased the stamp duty for buyers to compress the market demand, but it did not affect the basic operation of the market.
China News Agency reporter: After you took office, you initiated the "front office exchange meeting" to promote the establishment of a close cooperative relationship between the executive and legislative organs. What was the effect of the early communication?
Li Jiachao: First of all, I want to talk about the purpose of the "front office exchange meeting", because under the principle of "patriots ruling Hong Kong", we not only have "patriots ruling Hong Kong" in terms of system, but how to "patriots ruling Hong Kong" "It's more important to do this set of punches well.
In his important speech on July 1, President Xi talked about "focusing on improving the level of governance". I think there are three aspects. The first is the design of the system, the second is the execution force, and the third is the effect.
I propose that the "front office exchange meeting" is a systematic design, looking at this issue from the perspective of administrative leadership.
Executive leadership, the first to lead, the second to take the initiative.
So I took the initiative to raise the level of "patriotic governance of Hong Kong" and improve the relationship between the executive and the legislature, and then there will be a better foundation for good governance. I think the "front office exchange meeting" is a good start. .
Different officials have the confidence to communicate with legislators, which opens a door.
I ask the Secretary to take the initiative to take the initiative in this regard. The responses from the Legislative Council members I have heard are all very positive.
How to optimize and evolve?
Just from the experience of the process, I am very optimistic.
The picture shows Li Jiachao participating in the first "front office exchange meeting" in the Legislative Council on July 13.
Photo courtesy of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government Information Office issued by China News Service
The existence of the government is to solve the problems of the people
China News Agency reporter: You went deep into the grassroots and entered the subdivision during the election, but solving those deep-seated problems that have accumulated over time requires sufficient responsibility and courage, but also time and endurance. During this period, how to balance practical difficulties and citizens Contradictions of expectations?
Li Jiachao: Every government has to face this problem.
It is very reasonable for the common people to have demands on the government, and it will not stop, because the existence of the government is to solve the problems of the common people and solve the problems of people's livelihood.
(People) have new requirements every day, so my concept is to try my best to solve the most problems every day.
Of course, there is a limit to what the Chief Executive can do personally, so the concept of "same" mentioned earlier is important.
Second, officials should actively play their leading role and take the initiative to intervene immediately when problems initially arise.
Every problem is solved with this attitude, and I think the chance of success is much greater.
Of course, the government will always have a pressure, that is, the demands of the common people are always faster than we can solve the problem.
But I am also optimistic, because I have been a civil servant for more than 40 years. Most of the civil servants participate in their work with "intent" and hope that some results can be achieved and the society will feel that their work is valuable.
What am I advocating now?
It is to optimize the system and release the capabilities of civil servants.
If there are too many procedures, and the procedures are unreasonable and outdated, change them; if the laws do not keep pace with the times, also change them.
Every day I solve one more problem than yesterday, and I use this attitude to solve the problems of the common people.
The picture shows Li Jiachao (second from left) accompanied by Chief Secretary for Administration Chan Kwok-kee (first from right) to Sham Shui Po on July 30 to visit grass-roots families living in subdivided flats to learn about their living conditions.
Photo courtesy of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government Information Office issued by China News Service
China News Service reporter: The future of Hong Kong lies in the youth. How can you further improve the work of the youth?
Li Jiachao: Youth is our future. I also hope that young people can take good care of me when I am old. In the future, I will also rely on our new generation to take care of Hong Kong.
We care about young people. We should try our best to give them more opportunities in terms of schooling, help them as much as possible in terms of employment, expand space in terms of starting a business, and include land and housing supply in terms of property purchase.
All of the areas just mentioned require a lot of work.
In addition, I have asked (relevant departments) to formulate a youth policy, so that young people can strengthen their abilities, have a positive value, have an international vision, a national concept, and have a sense of family and country, improve their quality, and also improve their abilities. Diversified to take care of their ideals.
Let the common people understand the work of the government in a fair way
China News Service reporter: We have also noticed that you attach great importance to public opinion and public relations. Do you have any ideas to unify the public opinion and public relations of various policy bureaus to strengthen emergency response capabilities?
Li Jiachao: I mainly want to let the people understand the work of the government fairly.
Previous experience is that the government has done a lot of things, but the common people may not be able to see or hear it, and feel that (the government) seems to have done nothing.
Therefore, it is necessary to increase transparency and openness.
I hope to use social media more to let the common people know about the work of our government.
Second, we also hope that people will feel happy living in Hong Kong. You have to let everyone know what you have done and your achievements, so that happiness will appear. From these two perspectives, I promote different government departments, Different officials try to open themselves up as much as possible, and broadcast their own information as much as possible, and they can also hear responses during the process, and they can strive to do better.
And I hope to expand the reach of our network.
Because telling the "Hong Kong story" is not only in Hong Kong, but also in the mainland, because we are a family, so that the mainland compatriots can better understand the current situation in Hong Kong, the relationship between everyone is better, and the level of mutual support is good, so I I feel that "the family is good and the country is good", and the "home" of Hong Kong should be expanded to a big family at the national level.
Moreover, the "Hong Kong Story" should be told in the international arena. Let foreigners know the situation in Hong Kong. We are now trying to make Hong Kong a cultural capital, and let them know that the development of culture and art in Hong Kong is very attractive. I hope to come and see.
Open yourself up and let more people know about Hong Kong. I think it is good for Hong Kong, and it is also good for the people.
China News Service reporter: You also pay special attention to social platforms. After taking office, you opened a Weibo and updated it in a timely manner.
What was the original intention of opening these social accounts?
Li Jiachao: I don't think everything is the best, only better.
As I mentioned just now, I hope everyone knows each other better, and I hope we don't need to go through an intermediary to let everyone know.
Weibo has this advantage. I will communicate directly with a wide range of ordinary people, and I have also received some information to let me know how the relationship between Hong Kong and the mainland should be handled, which is also important.
I feel that since we are a family, every thought should be known.
I think everyone has a common will, and they all want Hong Kong to be good, because a good Hong Kong is in line with national interests and in line with our common goal of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.
So I opened Weibo and learned a lot from it.
To systematically do a good job in patriotic education
China News Service: A few days ago, a columnist pointed out that a group was levied over HK$140,000 by the Highways Department for hanging the national flag on lampposts to celebrate the National Day.
You responded through social platforms, instructing the relevant departments to waive the relevant fees, and carry out education on the correct flying of the national flag and the regional flag, so that citizens can use the national flag correctly.
Regarding the handling of this matter, can we understand that this is a small step in the governance mechanism for the purpose of "focusing on improving the level of governance"?
Li Jiachao: Of course there is this angle, but I think the more important thing is that we have the responsibility to do things well as soon as possible.
Two elements, the first must be as fast as possible, and the second must be done well.
From 2019 to the present in Hong Kong, we firstly have the National Security Law for Hong Kong, which brings back the security, peace and stability of Hong Kong, and then improves the electoral system and implements "patriots ruling Hong Kong". On this basis, how can we do a good job of "one country, two systems" What should be done depends not only on the interests of Hong Kong, but also on the interests of the country.
Patriotism under "one country, two systems" should be cultivated. We did not do enough in this area before, but now we are working hard.
So my feeling in this matter is: the role of the leader is very important, and the leader must have a clear stance.
At present, the policy of the SAR government is to promote patriotic education, and each department must do its work (around) this goal; in the future, patriotic education must also be systematically done well.
Now I have asked for a policy to do a good job in every aspect of patriotic education.
For example, many people do not know what to do after flying the national flag. It is not allowed to deal with it in a disrespectful way, but to be dealt with in a respectful way. This is part of education.
My judgment on (this) thing is: the department needs clear and directional guidance from leaders, and I also hope that in these five years, we will do better and faster in this regard.
China News Agency reporter: Finally, I would like to ask the Chief Executive to talk about the new measures you will promote next.
Li Jiachao: I will deliver my first policy address in October.
Now that the consultation has been carried out, I personally have some new ideas, and I also listen to the opinions of all walks of life. After synthesis, there will be some new measures to explain to you in the October policy address, so give me some time, October, soon of.
(Finish)