Hong Kong's leadership candidate pledges to save city's competitiveness
29/04/2022 05:07
HONG KONG, April 29 (Reuters) - Hong Kong's sole candidate
to become its next leader mapped out his policy platform on
Friday, saying his focus will be on enhancing the city's
competitiveness and increasing the housing supply.
John Lee, 64, a career security specialist and former deputy
commissioner of police, is expected to be appointed Hong Kong's
chief executive in a selection process on May 8, with the
backing of Beijing.
"Hong Kong is an international city, and we'll definitely
continue to strengthen our advantages," Lee told supporters at
the launch of his manifesto.
The financial hub remained a bridge between the world and
mainland China, he said.
Lee said he would restructure the government of the former
British colony to enhance its governance capability, and
strengthen its policy research, without giving specifics.
On the perennial problem of affordable housing, Lee said
the government would streamline procedures to build more houses
efficiently.
"Housing is the key to solve different issues," including
poverty and youth development, he said.
No other serious contenders have come forward for the job of
city leader, unlike on previous occasions since the city
reverted to Chinese rule in 1997.
Lee is due to take over on July 1 from Chief Executive
Carrie Lam, who has governed through a period of unprecedented
upheaval with anti-government protests and a major COVID-19
outbreak.
Lee and several other city and Chinese officials were
sanctioned by the United States in 2020 over what it said was
their role in curbing the city’s freedoms under a national
security law that critics say has stifled a campaign for greater
democracy.
Hong Kong and Chinese officials have rejected such criticism
as unwarranted outside interference, arguing that the city needs
stability to safeguard its economic success.
(Reporting By Clare Jim and James Pomfret;
Editing by Robert Birsel)
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