China’s Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Carrie Lam delivered her third annual policy address on Wednesday. The address covered topics like restoring social order and reaching a peaceful solution amid unprecedented chaos that has entered its fourth month. The annual event provided hope for residents eager to live in peace once again while embarking on a new beginning.
The annual address is mandated under Article 64 of the Basic Law that requires the government to make announcements, explain legal concepts and policies. It is a constitutional responsibility of the HKSAR chief executive.
The significance of this role does not only involve providing clarification on policy stipulations, but also requires determination from lawmakers when implementing ideas and removing social misunderstandings. The process provides guidance for the city while helping people remain focused and aware of the laws.
Lam’s report bears great importance at a time when Hong Kong suffers from violent protests. She responded to community concerns with plans aimed at improving livelihoods, drafting a security blueprint to ensure prosperity and stability, and charting a course the public deserves.
Lam covered over 220 new initiatives during the address. High-priority was given to housing, property, improving livelihoods, and economic development. Through benevolent and community focused characteristics, the new initiatives set forth a broad policy that will yield substantial benefits to the people of Hong Kong.
The address laid out a roadmap for Hong Kong’s future with solid promises for development.
Since June when the protest started, Hong Kong has been appalled with the black-clad demonstrators and their violent actions. The city remains thwarted with a crippled social order and a weak legal system. Lam’s policy address was an effort to subdue the chaos. It was also a response to the collective aspirations of the general public and revealed a clear understanding of governance and policies. The new initiatives will provide the city with an opportunity to start fresh. It will be a way to move forward in the face of the difficulties and search for truth through pragmatic means. The policy address clearly revealed a deep-rooted responsibility for Hong Kong and its residents.
Hong Kong citizens have been suffering too much from consecutive chaos. On the eve of the delivery of the policy address, more people in Hong Kong came out and said no to violence. People have come to realize that a chaotic Hong Kong will only sink and harm the well-being of every citizen. Hong Kong should uphold the rule of law, continue to develop and Hong Kong needs more protection.
It has been discovered that those who attempt to block the delivery and implementation of the new initiatives, and those who intend to stir disarray in China and the HKSAR, will never side with the general public, without whom Hong Kong will have a better tomorrow.
In the policy address, Carrie Lam highlighted that managing the crisis in Hong Kong and fulfilling its governance responsibilities require accurate adherence to the principle of “one country, two systems”, the rule of law and Hong Kong’s institutional strengths.
This remark reflects the foundation of Hong Kong. “One country, two systems” is the best institutional arrangement to maintain Hong Kong’s long-term prosperity and stability. Starting from the new policy address, with a focus on stopping violence while pursuing the development, HKSAR government will work hard to serve the people. Every citizen will work hard to protect their homeland and to navigate the current impasses.
(Compiled by Ryan Yaoran Yu, Lance Crayon and Zhu Yurou)
