W K LO's LegCo Express
Mar 2025
1. Released report on Implementing the Spirit of the Two Sessions: Fueling Hong Kong’s New Growth
The second annual session of the 14th National People's Congress and the second session of the 14th Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference National Committee ("two sessions") were concluded successfully in March this year. Together with some other LegCo members, I released a report on Implementing the Spirit of the Two Sessions: Fueling Hong Kong’s New Growth on 20 Mar. It addresses national issues and interprets China’s reform and development policies from a Hong Kong perspective. It focuses on three major topics: attracting investment, revitalizing the stock market, and stabilizing the property market. The report puts forward a series of recommendations, including relaxing restrictions on investment immigration for property investments and promoting public-private partnership to accelerate the development of the Northern Metropolis.
2. Ante Chamber Exchange Session between LegCo members and Government officials
On 26 March, under the enhanced arrangement, two separate discussion groups were co-hosted by the Secretary for Development and the Chairman of the Panel on Development, as well as the Secretary for Housing and the Chairman of the Panel on Housing respectively. As Chairman of the Panel on Development, I led the discussion on the topics regarding initiatives on streamlining processes and construction cost reduction; how to enhance the Northern Metropolis as a place for urban-rural integration and co-existence of new and old through infrastructural upgrading, software rejuvenation and establishment of mechanisms; how to render land administration practices more conducive to optimising existing land and properties under the hands of Government and private lot owners to support new and emerging economic activities. It is a dynamic exercise for officials and legislators to find ways to enhance governance by good communication, understanding and co-operation.
3. Raised a written question about “Development of artificial intelligence”
At the LegCo meeting on 19 Mar, I raised a written question about “Development of artificial intelligence”. I asked the Government whether it will formulate a comprehensive AI development blueprint and strategy, and provide comprehensive supporting policy measures to capitalise on Hong Kong's edge to promote AI's R&D and application; whether it will allocate additional resources to expedite the admission and training of AI talents and support the application of AI in the industries and public services, as well as encourage people engaging in different industries to learn to make use of AI to upgrade their skills through subsidy schemes; and whether it will further strengthen the coordination with the Mainland cities in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area in respect of promoting AI development. To view my question and the Government’s reply, please use the following link:
https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202503/19/P2025031900221.htm?fontSize=2
4. Joined Road Traffic (Amendment) Bill 2025
The Bill seeks to amend the Road Traffic Ordinance (Cap. 374) and its subsidiary legislation to allow an electronic representation of a driving licence or driving instructor’s licence to be produced in lieu of a physical licence in certain circumstances; make the forgery of such an electronic representation an offence; and provide for related matters. I joined the Bills Committee in March.
5. Joined Electoral Legislation (Miscellaneous Amendments) Bill 2025
The Bill seeks to amend the Electoral Affairs Commission Ordinance and the Chief Executive Election Ordinance, and their subsidiary legislation to make technical revisions in relation to the delineation of geographical constituency boundaries for the Legislative Council general elections; enhance the counting procedures for functional constituencies; consolidate ballot paper accounts; and make related or technical amendments to the electoral legislation. I joined the Bills Committee in March.
6. Funding projects approved in the FC and the PWSC
At the FC meeting on 21 Mar, the funding project of HK$4.75 billion was approved for the construction of Tung Chung New Town Extension – site formation and infrastructure works (Second Phase). At the FC meeting on 29 Mar, the funding project of HK$215 million for the development and implementation of the Port Community System to facilitate the digitalisation of Hong Kong Port and advance the development of smart port. At the PWSC meeting on 26 Mar, a funding project of HK$331.2 million was approved to establish the Chinese Culture Experience Centre, which will serve as a communal platform for the promotion of Chinese Culture. This project, along with others, will be submitted to the FC for further approval.
