WK Lo’s LegCo Express (August 2015)
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WK Lo’s LegCo Express
August 2015
1. Attended the forum on “The Belt and Road Initiative”
On 22 August, I was invited to a forum to discuss on the development strategy of “The Belt and Road Initiative”. The National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) issued its “Vision and Actions on Jointly Building the Silk Road Economic Belt and 21st Century Maritime Silk Road” on 28 March 2015. This document outlined the framework, key areas of co-operation and collaboration mechanisms with regard to the Belt and Road Initiative. The Initiative is designed to enhance orderly free-flow of economic factors and efficient allocation of resources, and is intended to further market integration and create a regional economic co-operation framework of benefit to all. At the forum, I emphasized that Hong Kong should make good use of our own competitive advantages to actively seek new opportunities that national and regional developments bring about. I urged the Hong Kong Government to study our role in the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), and work with the business and professional sectors to explore development opportunities generated by the Belt and Road Initiative.
2. Interviewed by radio on issues relating to fresh water supply of public housing estates
On 7 August, I attended a radio programme and commented on the issues of the lead contamination in drinking water at public rental housing estates. I reiterated the Government should carry out detailed examination of the components and soldering materials in the suspected copper piping systems to identify the source of contamination. In the interim, temporary water supply systems should be installed on each floor of the affected buildings to minimise the inconvenience to residents. The Government should adopt a more stringent and proactive approach to water testing to ensure compliance with international health standards. I also called for amendment to existing laws and regulations to raise the standards for drinking water testing. In addition, I urged the Government to provide guidance to assist the public in making informed decisions on their purchases of water filters. The contaminated pipings may need to be replaced. Other options of piping connection methods without soldering should also be considered.
3. Delegation to Shanghai with construction professionals
I took part in a Hong Kong construction professionals delegation to Shanghai in August. The delegation aims to deepen understanding on the Belt and Road Initiative and the latest national infrastructural development. The participants visited large-scale construction projects and exchanged views on project management with local authorities.
4. Meeting with delegation from China Association for Science and Technology
Together with some professionals from local technology sector, I met the delegation from China Association for Science and Technology on 19 August. We exchanged views on science and technology development in Hong Kong and the neighboring economies. We all agreed that Hong Kong should expeditiously set up the new Innovation and Technology Bureau (ITB) in order to enhance overall competitiveness of Hong Kong. Actually, the resolutions of setting up the ITB were passed by the LegCo in June, but the funding request to the Finance Committee was on hold due to filibustering. I pointed out in my speech that the joint effort of different sectors is vital to promote innovation and technology development. I hope that the Finance Committee can pass the funding request for the ITB when the legCo fiscal year starts in October.
