Hong Kong’s leader has said his administration is committed to being a “reformer who confronts challenges rather than a complacent person who avoids improvement”, while pledging to seek change and explore new markets to take the city to new heights.
In the latest video posted on his social media accounts on Sunday, Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu also elaborated on the themes behind a series of videos marking each year of his administration, indicating a change in governance focus.
The first of the videos, published in 2023, saw him surveying the city from the Peak and highlighting the importance of “farsightedness” in governance, as noted by his special assistant, Jenny Wong Tsz-yuen, who appeared in the production.
The 2024 clip featured Lee taking a ferry across Victoria Harbour, symbolising the need for the Hong Kong government to “ride the wind and waves” to overcome challenges effectively.
Two videos were released on Sunday for this year and involved him watching butterflies in the Hong Kong Wetland Park and piloting a simulated drone in the City Gallery exhibition.
Titled “From Cocoon to Butterfly: Reaching New Heights”, the videos underscored the government’s focus on ambitious reforms in the coming year.
“The external environment has posed many challenges to us. We would rather be a reformer who confronts challenges rather than complacent people who avoid improvement,” he said in the latest videos.
“We must continue to work for the benefit of residents through reform, innovation and adaptability. With Hongkongers’ experience and wisdom, we must be able to reach new heights.”
In the footage, Lee also described the Northern Metropolis mega-project as a new economic growth engine and stressed that 60,000 housing units would be completed in the next five years.
He highlighted the importance of leveraging both national and international opportunities, while pledging to enhance Hong Kong’s economic, political, cultural and international influence.
The city leader will deliver his fourth annual policy address in September, a month earlier than previous practices, to allow more time before the Legislative Council election in December. The public consultation started earlier this month.