🌊John Lee delivers maiden policy address

Gathering limit raised to 12

Oct 20, 2022

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Good morning,

Shameless promotion of my non-HT hobbies/work - I’ll be working the bar (and various other things) at the Tong Chong Street Beer Festival at KIN Foodhall this Saturday night.

taikooplace_hk

A post shared by Taikoo Place, Hong Kong (@taikooplace_hk)

Tickets are still available for the Saturday slots (I’ll be working the 830-1130pm).

Very excited to be back behind the line at an F&B festival - middle managing F&B at events were literally my first jobs.

— Cyril

On Today’s Tide

Policy | John Lee delivers maiden policy address: a brief summary
COVID | Group gatherings eased to 12 people
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John Lee’s Maiden Address

CE John Lee gave his first policy address yesterday - the 100 page speech went on for nearly three hours was then followed by a press conference where the CE answered questions.

His address covered 8 main aspects for Hong Kong’s future development

1. Better implementing ‘One Country Two Systems’

“The more firmly the "One Country" principle is upheld, the greater strength the "Two Systems" will be unleashed”, said Lee.

He said that National Security is the most important part of 1C2S and that Article 23 will be passed at some point during his tenure.

HK will also better integrate into the whole country’s development, such as through the Northern Metropolis and Belt and Road projects.

2. Improve governance

New KPIs for governance will be introduced. Civil Servant Code will be updated with better rewards and punishments.

3. Attract New Businesses and Talent

FS to lead the new Office for Attracting Strategic Enterprises (OASES) focusing on bringing in new businesses to HK.

A new 2 year visa will be given to graduates of top universities with very few strings attached.

4. Enhance traditional advantages, develop emerging industries

Hong Kong will aim to develop into a world class IT and Arts hub, while retaining its important position in world finance. Massive funding will be given to both emerging fields with international talent hunting, internships and new districts being developed.

Financial, legal and logistic fields - traditionally strong fields in Hong Kong - will continue to develop.

5. Speed, Efficiency and Quality in public housing and infrastructure

Land and housing is the priority for the current adminstration. Financial incentives will be given to private housing developers to build subsidized housing, while additional land (TKO was especially mentioned) will be found over the next 5 years for more development.

The Kau Yi Chau artificial islands project brought in during the Lam adminstration for the Lantau Metropolis will still go ahead. Three highways and other massive infrastructure projects will also be started.

6. Building a harmonious and stable society

‘Care teams’ to be developed in all 18 districts to develop ‘caring activities’ such as elderly visits.

Health system to be revamped from a ‘treatment’ based system to a ‘prevention’ based system. The fight against tobacco and promotion of Chinese Medicine remains on the cards.

Women, elderly and ethnic minorities specified for additional support, such as through affirmative hiring of additional ethnic minorities into bureaucratic positions.

7. Youth Development

Section officially called “Hong Kong will Prosper Only When its Young People Thrive” - a direct quote from ‘President Xi’s important speech’.

Multi-pronged approach to youth from revamped education to promote more national education and STEAM education, to support for young people to get on the housing ladder.

8. Fighting the epidemic, telling good stories of Hong Kong

Government will not ‘lie flat’ towards COVID, and will continue to combat the virus. Aims to not ‘backtrack’ on efforts - what is loosened should stay loosened.

FS to lead a task force on how to tell good stories of HK. New VIP tourism program for 1000 individuals from various fields to come and inspect HK’s developments from the Mainland and abroad to be started.

You can find the highlights of his address here, and the full speech here.

Hong Kong SAR Government News @newsgovhk

The Centre for Health Protection says it is investigating 4,734 additional locally acquired #COVID19 cases, of which 1,252 were identified through #NucleicAcidTests and 3,482 via #RapidAntigenTests

news.gov.hkHK sees 4.7k COVID-19 casesThe Centre for Health Protection says it is investigating 4,734 additional locally acquired COVID-19 cases, of which 1,252 were identified through nucleic acid tests and 3,482 via rapid antigen tests.

COVID-19 in Hong Kong

New cases: 5124 (390 imported)
Total cases: 1,853,287
New deaths: 12
Total deaths: 10,297
Compulsory Testing locations: 56

Social distancing measures loosened today!

Live performances return literally today as long standing social distancing measures are loosened. Performers have to do PCR tests twice a week, a RAT test on the day of the performance and stay as far away from their audience as possible. Staff that are also performers have to follow the stricter rules.

Group gatherings in public will also be loosened from 4 people to 12 people.

Events and deals

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International Ponte Music Festival: Concerto Competition (Grand Finale)

To showcase the power of young local music talent, Ponte is delighted to present to eight finalists from their International Ponte Music Festival: Concerto Competition, held early this year.

We welcome you to this Grand Finale and witness these rising stars to make their debut with an orchestra.

When: 22nd October 2022 (Saturday); 19:30 – 22:00 pm
Where: Hong Kong Jockey Club Amphitheatre, HKAPA
Cost: From $180-$220

Music Roundabout: Sound of the Netherlands

Need another concert in your life? Ponte Orchestra is collaborating with local harmonica soloist Timothy Tang to showcase famous Dutch music from the Baroque, to folk and even modern pop. This performance is supported by Hong Kong Arts Development Council and the Netherlands Consulate General in Hong Kong and Macao.