Working Reports

The Financial Secretary delivered a new budget on 22 February, adopting more than 50 proposals previously put forward by the Business and Professionals Alliance for Hong Kong. We welcome the government's measures to help the economy recover from the economic downturn, to support SMEs, to help Hong Kong businesses seize the opportunities arising from the construction of the Belt and Road and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Greater Bay Area, to explore emerging markets, to strengthen the global promotion and to develop the creative industries. I believe this budget is a way to "put the momentum back where it should be".

 

2. Conducted a survey on the effectiveness of the Government Programme on Tackling Hygiene Black Spots

Together with some district members, we had earlier conducted a survey and held a press conference on 10 Feb. It was found that about 40% of the respondents agreed or strongly agreed that the Government's hygiene initiatives produced the expected result. Nearly 45% of the respondents thought the effectiveness of the government's programme to tackle hygiene black spots was mediocre, and around 17% thought it was unsatisfactory. The result showed the positive effect of the Government’s programme. Despite this, we still made several suggestions, including increasing the penalty to increase the deterrent effect, using AI technology to detect various hygiene black spots, and urging the government to step up measures to further improve Hong Kong's environmental hygiene.

 

3. Funding projects approved by the PWSC and the FC

On 8 Feb, members of the PWSC endorsed a funding project of HK$14,911.9 million for the implementation of Light Public Housing. On 24 Feb, members endorsed the funding project of HK$730.0 million to conduct an investigation and detailed design for Tsing Yi-Lantau Link and approved the allocation of HK$250.1 million for the improvement of Lion Rock Tunnel. These projects, along with the others, would be submitted to the FC for final funding approval.

 

On 24 Feb, the FC members approved a total allocation of HK$25,499.5 million for 2023-24 for the block allocation subheads under the Capital Works Reserve Fund. 

 

4. Appointed to Advisory Committee on the Northern Metropolis 

I am delighted to have been appointed as a non-official member of the Advisory Committee on the Northern Metropolis on 10 Feb. The Advisory Committee will advise the Government on the planning and implementation of the Northern Metropolis, on such aspects as land and housing development, development of industries, transport and other infrastructure development, environment conservation and provision of public facilities.

 

5. Joined the LegCo Spring Luncheon

The LegCo spring luncheon was held on 17 Feb, and nearly 200 guests and Members attended the luncheon to celebrate the Chinese New Year. The spring luncheon this year is particularly meaningful because it is the first one held since the epidemic. I believed the Administration and the LegCo would work hand in hand to proactively plan for Hong Kong, give full play to our strengths, and help Hong Kong integrate into the overall development of the country.

 

6. Assisted Real-name registration for SIM cards 

On 16 Feb, I participated in the activity to promote the means of real-name registration and appeal to PPS card users to complete real-name registration, to avoid suspension of telephone services after the registration deadline of 23 Feb. PPS card users who have not yet completed real-name registration may do so through websites or mobile applications of the respective telecommunications service providers with reference to their SMS notification reminders. Assistance can also be sought from the retail outlets of the relevant telecommunications service providers or service counters set up in 18 designated post offices. 

 

7. Visited the CUHK Medical Centre

On 18 Feb, I was invited to visit the CUHK Medical Centre. It is Hong Kong’s first non-profit, private teaching hospital. Since officially opening in September 2021, the Hospital provides 215 inpatient beds as well as emergency medicine, specialist outpatient, and rehabilitation services. Since the first quarter of 2022, from the 5th wave of the Covid-19 pandemic, the Hospital has admitted a total of 471 confirmed patients from the Hospital Authority.