The 2025 Policy Address unveiled by Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu on Wednesday marks a watershed moment for the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region’s governance transformation. While headlines focus on the Northern Metropolis (NM) development and economic incentives, the introduction of a comprehensive civil servants’ assessment mechanism deserves recognition as a cornerstone reform that will catalyze the city’s ambitious agenda.

This systematic approach to civil service accountability arrives at a critical juncture of the SAR’s socioeconomic development. As Hong Kong accelerates its integration with the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and positions itself as an international innovation hub, the efficiency and responsiveness of its public administration will determine whether these grand visions materialize or remain aspirational rhetoric.

The new assessment framework represents more than bureaucratic reshuffling — it embodies a fundamental shift toward results-oriented governance. Singapore’s experience offers compelling evidence of the efficacy of this approach. Its Public Service Division’s performance management system, implemented over four decades ago, has consistently ranked Singapore’s civil service among the world’s most efficient. The city-state’s ability to execute complex infrastructure projects like Marina Bay Sands and Changi Airport’s Terminal 5 ahead of schedule stems directly from a culture of accountability embedded through rigorous performance metrics.

Similarly, Shenzhen’s remarkable transformation from fishing village to tech metropolis within four decades owes much to its merit-based civil service reforms initiated in the 1990s. Municipal officials there operate under clear key performance indicators linked to economic development, innovation metrics, and public satisfaction scores. This accountability framework enables Shenzhen to process business licenses in under 24 hours and attract global tech giants like Huawei and Tencent.

Hong Kong’s implementation of a comprehensive civil servants’ assessment mechanism promises to address longstanding concerns about bureaucratic inertia that have hampered major initiatives. The NM project, encompassing 300 square kilometers of development potential, requires unprecedented coordination across multiple departments. Under the previous system, interdepartmental delays and fuzzy accountability lines could stretch project timelines indefinitely. The new assessment mechanism establishes clear deliverables and timelines, ensuring officials at every level understand their responsibilities and face consequences for underperformance.

By establishing clear accountability measures and performance incentives, the city positions itself to execute ambitious development plans while maintaining the administrative excellence that has long distinguished Hong Kong as Asia’s world city. The success of this initiative will ultimately determine whether Hong Kong can transform its bold visions into tangible achievements that benefit all residents

The reform’s emphasis on innovation and problem-solving capabilities particularly resonates with contemporary challenges. In Europe, Estonia’s digital government transformation offers instructive parallels. By implementing performance assessments focused on digital literacy and innovation, Estonian civil servants pioneered e-governance solutions that now enable 99 percent of public services to be accessed online. Hong Kong’s assessment framework similarly prioritizes technological adaptation and creative problem-solving, essential qualities for navigating the city’s rapidly evolving economic landscape.

Critics may raise concerns about potential pressure on civil servants or worry about politicization of the assessment process. Such apprehension, while understandable, overlooks the mechanism’s built-in safeguards and development-oriented approach. Rather than punitive measures, the system emphasizes continuous improvement through training programs, mentorship opportunities, and clear advancement pathways for high performers. New Zealand’s Public Service Commission provides a useful model here, demonstrating how performance management can enhance both accountability and job satisfaction when implemented with transparency and fairness.

The timing of this reform aligns strategically with Hong Kong’s economic pivot toward innovation and technology sectors. As the city develops its status as an international innovation and technology hub, civil servants must evolve from traditional administrators to facilitators of innovation. The assessment mechanism incentivizes this transformation by rewarding officials who successfully attract investment, streamline regulatory processes, and foster public-private partnerships.

Moreover, the reform addresses public demands for more responsive governance. Recent surveys indicate declining confidence in bureaucratic efficiency, with residents frustrated by lengthy approval processes and bureaucratic obstacles. By linking performance assessments to public satisfaction metrics and service delivery standards, the mechanism creates direct accountability to Hong Kong residents.

The international business community has long advocated such reforms. The American Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong and the European Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong have consistently highlighted administrative efficiency as crucial for maintaining Hong Kong’s competitive edge. This assessment framework signals to global investors that Hong Kong remains committed to world-class governance standards.

Successful implementation will require sustained political will and cultural change within the civil service. The SAR government must ensure assessment criteria remain objective, transparent, and aligned with Hong Kong’s long-term development goals. Regular reviews and adjustments based on international best practices will be essential.

This civil service reform represents Hong Kong’s determination to modernize governance for the 21st century. By establishing clear accountability measures and performance incentives, the city positions itself to execute ambitious development plans while maintaining the administrative excellence that has long distinguished Hong Kong as Asia’s world city. The success of this initiative will ultimately determine whether Hong Kong can transform its bold visions into tangible achievements that benefit all residents.

The author is the convenor at China Retold, a member of the Legislative Council, and a member of the Central Committee of the New People’s Party.

The views do not necessarily reflect those of China Daily.