The Legislative Council (LegCo) will go all out to collaborate with the executive branch to help Hong Kong’s better alignment with the nation’s 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-30), as well as enhance communication with residents, LegCo President Starry Lee Wai-king said on Friday.
The legislature on Friday invited Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu, Executive Council members and senior government officials to join lawmakers at a spring luncheon — which saw its largest attendance on record, with over 200 guests.
Addressing the luncheon, Starry Lee said that the chief executive has taken proactive steps to deepen interaction between the executive and legislative branches, such as through his unprecedented attendance of the inaugural meeting of the new term LegCo on Jan 14.
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Lee cited the latest Budget speech delivered by Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po, noting that Hong Kong’s economy has grown for three consecutive years, with the stock market continuing its upward trend and visitor arrivals climbing.
Both the number of companies registered in Hong Kong by domestic and overseas enterprises and the number of startups have reached record highs, foreign talent is converging on the city at an accelerated pace, and the government's finances have markedly improved, she said, adding that the improved economic atmosphere paves way for the legislature to achieve remarkable results through supporting and cooperating with the government.
To improve governance efficiency under the executive-led system, Lee said she believes that the legislative body and the executive branch should not act independently but rather should operate under the leadership of the administration, creating positive interaction.
Lee said that she and other legislators understand that the current term of the Legislative Council has an arduous task ahead of it, requiring the joint efforts of the legislature and the government — including proactively aligning with the national 15th Five-Year Plan and developing the Northern Metropolis, as well as providing support and reconstruction efforts following the Wang Fuk Court blaze.
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She added that the LegCo will later organize a delegation to conduct an on-site inspection of the Northern Metropolis.
Lawmakers will hold regular study sessions to grasp the central government's guiding principles and major development strategies, strengthen their affection for and sense of belonging to our country, and to enhance self-directed learning and self-improvement to realize higher quality and greater efficiency when discussing political affairs, Starry Lee said.
To strengthen links with the community, she said over two-thirds of legislators have already opened or will open district offices, and all lawmakers have established Facebook pages, adding that lawmakers will conduct more in-depth research with industry and engage with residents.
Lau Siu-kai, a consultant to the Chinese Association of Hong Kong and Macao Studies, told China Daily that LegCo should proactively support the Hong Kong SAR government in formulating the city’s first five-year plan that aligns with the nation’s 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-30). He said that LegCo members should offer professional advice in their respective areas of expertise during the planning process.
Lau also highlighted LegCo’s essential role as a representative of public sentiment, stressing the importance of maintaining close communication with different sectors of society and conveying public views gathered to the HKSAR government for consideration.
Contact the writer at atlasshao@chinadailyhk.com
