WK LO's LegCo Express (August 2023)
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WK LO's LegCo Express
August 2023
1. Expressed expectations and recommendations for the Policy Address 2023-24
On 28 Aug, together with some other LegCo members, I met the Chief Executive to express expectations and recommendations for the Policy Address 2023-24. Our proposals covered thirteen main areas including striving for the Central Government to expand the preferential policies in the Greater Bay Area (GBA), increasing the participation of the international business community in the construction of the GBA, “withdrawing the harsh measures” from the property market in an orderly manner, changing the refund of stamp duty for eligible incoming talent to “waiver and then a levy”, facilitating global companies' financing in Hong Kong, and developing a second high-speed rail station on the Kau Yi Chau Artificial Islands, etc. The proposal also includes a separate chapter on "improving regional governance" and puts forward a series of suggestions to solve people's livelihood problems, including accelerating the reconstruction of old areas, improving the management of "three-nil buildings", and allowing the elderly and students to enjoy half-price discounts on high-speed rail, etc., to resolve social problems.
2. Site visit to the cavern construction site of Sha Tin Sewage Treatment Works
As Chairman of the PWSC, I led a site visit to the cavern construction site of Sha Tin Sewage Treatment Works on 29 August to learn about the scope and progress as well as the application of innovative technologies in the Project. Members learnt that the relocation of Sha Tin Sewage Works to caverns can greatly improve the environment of the existing site and its surroundings. It can also release 28 hectares of land mainly for innovation and technology development. Members then visited the cavern construction site and inspected the Drilling Jumbo, HoloLens and Blasting Supervision System, etc., Members learnt that the Project had adopted various innovative technologies which can reduce the construction cost, speed up the construction progress, improve quality control and enhance construction site safety.
3. Duty visit to Mainland cities of the Greater Bay Area
I joined a three-day duty visit from 7 Aug to 9 Aug with other LegCo members to several Mainland cities of Guangdong to learn about the latest developments in areas such as the adoption of new energy transport, clean energy and renewable energy, and technologies for turning waste into energy/resources. Through understanding the application of new energy transport, hydrogen energy and renewable energy technologies in the three Mainland cities of the GBA, as well as meeting and exchanging experiences with Mainland Government officials and representatives of various enterprises, it will help our discussions with the SAR Government to deepen cross-border collaboration in environmental issues with the GBA cities. It will also help promote the development of green transport in Hong Kong.
4. Duty visit to Hangzhou
Together with some other LegCo members, I conducted a four-day duty visit from 31 July to 3 August to Hangzhou. Members visited the two major venues of the 19th Asian Games Hangzhou, to understand Hangzhou’s policies and measures for industrialization of sports and sports in the community, as well as to gain first-hand experience in promoting sports to all in Hangzhou. Members also made use of this opportunity to understand Hangzhou’s recent development, the related policies and achievements of the cultural industry. During the visit, Members exchanged views with representatives of the provincial and municipal governments.
5. Welcomes promulgation of "Development Plan for Shenzhen Park of Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Co-operation Zone"
I welcomed the Central Government's promulgation of the "Development Plan for Shenzhen Park of Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Co-operation Zone" (Development Plan for Shenzhen Park) on 29 Aug. The Development Plan for Shenzhen Park comprises a total of 30 measures, covering such areas as the development positioning, objectives, overall layout and infrastructure layout of the Shenzhen Park, as well as the collaboration with Hong Kong to promote international I&T development. It aims to promote high-quality I&T development in the GBA, and enable the Co-operation Zone to become a world-class innovation platform and an engine to drive I&T development in neighbouring cities.
