Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu attends a question and answer session on the 2022 Policy Address at the Legislative Council on Oct 20, 2022. (CALVIN NG / CHINA DAILY)

The new Policy Address is a living embodiment of “patriots administering Hong Kong” principle and a collection of public wisdom on tackling ingrained societal problems, Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu said at a question and answer session at the Legislative Council on Thursday.

Lee said the address has adopted suggestions from a wide variety of social sectors, including many lawmakers, which manifests the healthy interaction and cooperation between the executive and the legislature. 

He explained that the current-term Legislative Council (LegCo) is the first LegCo formed after the improvement of the electoral system, under which the principle of “patriots administering Hong Kong” is implemented. The LegCo fully represents the voices of different sectors of Hong Kong society.

Lee said the address has adopted suggestions from a wide variety of social sectors, including many lawmakers which manifests the healthy interaction and cooperation between the executive and the legislature

Lee hopes that the good relationship between the executive and the legislature can bring the principle of “patriots administering Hong Kong” to a new height, calling on legislators to support the address and facilitate the follow-up implementation of policies. 

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In his address, Lee said the government will embark HKD 10 billion to launch the “Research, Academic and Industry Sectors One‑plus Scheme”, funding at least 100 research teams in universities to become start‑ups. A lawmaker asked Lee whether the new scheme can achieve its planned goal and promote the scientific development in the Guangdong- Hong Kong- Macao Greater Bay Area.

Lee said there will be experts assessing the potential of these teams, ensuring the funded team can incubate products and the products can be commercialized.

As Hong Kong has reached a consensus with the mainland on related areas, Lee said that he had no worries about expanding the production chain to the mainland and expected that this plan will encounter the slightest difficulty among all policies in his address.

Lee also mentioned that the government hopes to formulate more convenient traveler clearance policies for residents who frequently travel between Shenzhen and Hong Kong, Lee said.

He envisioned that the Shenzhen-Hong Kong Innovation and Technology Co-operation Zone at border site Lok Ma Chau Loop may have room for developing staff exchange programs. Hong Kong government will discuss specific initiatives with the mainland, but these measures must be in line with the existing legal system, Lee said.

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Stressing the importance of improving the city’s legal system on safeguarding national security, Lee said the government will prepare for the local legislation of Article 23 of the Basic Law to the best of its ability.

This legislation will be able to fill all blind spots in national security protection and deal with all unexpected risks and the most extreme situations. Lee said that the current national security situation varied a lot from the past. Ideological penetration, spies, and fake information circulating on the internet are all new threats. He hopes the local legislation of Article 23 can offer the best way to prevent the threats.

Regarding on the call for removal of all entry restrains, Lee said he understands that the public wants the anti-pandemic measures to be relaxed as soon as possible, but he had to take comprehensive account on economic and medical situations.

Lee stressed that the policy’s continuity and consistency are essential, and the government doesn’t want to walk back on anti-pandemic measures.

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