With a declining curve of COVID-19 infection cases, Hong Kong is recovering from its worst wave of the pandemic. Looking back at the past three months, the city’s people would all regret that we missed the best chance to control the virus.
Many asked if the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government could have acted more decisively, or had it focused more on delivering results besides all procedural compliances, we might have been able to avoid as many deaths as possible.
Yes, “results” is the key word. For more than a decade, Hong Kong has been labeled a stagnant city: Housing and healthcare woes persist; the industrial structure has remained unchanged; and many young people feel hopeless in climbing up the social ladder. Anxiety and anger have been haunting many in Hong Kong. Some left the city with despair of its developments, and some, misled by certain ill-minded politicians, even joined social movements.
It was true that the previous administrations all paid utmost attention to those problems, but most work ended after discussions and studies. For example, with housing, admittedly, there were a number of mid- and long-term policies rolled out during the past years. But statistics show that the average waiting time for public rental housing has risen to six years, the highest in more than two decades. That is a dazzling fact.
Besides the results-oriented mentality, Lee also has other strengths that would make him a preferred candidate: his experience in handling national security issues, and long seamless cooperation with mainland authorities during his police service … (which) would help him maintain a good collaboration with Beijing, while earning trust from the central government
And it is more worrying that the 2019 “social movement” and COVID-19 pandemic had hit Hong Kong hard. The deep-rooted problems thus became more complicated and difficult to tackle. Meanwhile, globally, uncertainties and economic downturns are highly expected. Hong Kong must enhance, deliver effective governance, and push forward difficult reforms to brave the challenges.
All these factors lead to one call: Hong Kong needs a government with a results-oriented approach, and a leader who can identify problems and take action.
Therefore, it is great to hear that former chief secretary for administration and now-chief executive candidate John Lee Ka-chiu has put the results-oriented approach as one of his key election promises. At least, the former police officer touched on the city’s pain point.
For historic reasons, the city’s civil service has been trained to emphasize procedural compliance rather than outcomes during colonial rule. But disciplined services are different. The nature of their work made it clear that results are the ultimate goal, especially for the Police Force.
During his early service in the police, Lee led a team to bust the stunning illegal explosives case by Hong Kong notorious gangster Cheung Tze-keung. While serving as the city’s security chief, Lee banned the separatist Hong Kong National Party by applying the inactive Societies Ordinance. Lee also handled the “Occupy Central” movement and the global-focused Edward Snowden incident, both with good results. He proved that he is a capable doer.
These show that Lee does not only make that promise, but also has a convincing record for successfully delivering such a promise. And this character is what Hong Kong really needs the most.
More strengths
Besides the results-oriented mentality, Lee also has other strengths that would make him a preferred candidate: his experience in handling national security issues, and long seamless cooperation with mainland authorities during his police service.
The first carries weight for obvious reasons against the backdrop of the all-around tension between China and the United States, and the second would help him maintain a good collaboration with Beijing, while earning trust from the central government.
Both are also keys for Hong Kong to deal with the delicate and profound relationships, both with the motherland and the world, under the “one country, two systems” principle.
Admittedly, however, Lee is, after all, not an orthodox politician, and has limited exposure to policy areas beyond police and security. However, this disadvantage can be offset by teamwork with diverse talents, in economic development, finance, housing, welfare and youth issues. And that is what Lee should work on and apply his leadership to if he is to seriously bid for the city’s top job.
But back to square one: A results-oriented approach is the foundation for an effective government. And only with such a government can we expect Hong Kong to solve the long-standing economic, social and livelihood issues.
As an ordinary citizen of Hong Kong, I have to say that after all these years idling away, we are in desperate need of a leader with a results-oriented mentality and effective governance. Because it is more than clear that in this ever-changing world, Hong Kong has to produce real results and not waste its time anymore.
The author is a member of the Guangdong Province Zhongshan City Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, and executive vice-chairman of the Hong Kong CPPCC Youth Association.
The views do not necessarily reflect those of China Daily.