This is the 1012th issue of "Hong Kong in a Day"
The State Council appointed Li Jiachao as the sixth chief executive of Hong Kong
Premier Li Keqiang chaired the seventh plenary meeting of the State Council on May 20, and decided to appoint Li Jiachao as the sixth chief executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. The Chief Executive will take office on July 1, 2022.
The meeting reviewed the report of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government on the election of Li Jiachao as the sixth chief executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, and heard a report by Xia Baolong, director of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council, on the selection process of the sixth chief executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.
Xia Baolong said in the report that the election of the sixth chief executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region was conducted in strict accordance with the "Basic Law of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China" and relevant legal provisions of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, embodying the principles of openness, fairness and impartiality. Mr. Li Jiachao was elected with a high vote, which reflects the common wish of all sectors of Hong Kong society to unite and start again.
Li Keqiang delivered an important speech. He said that the central government will continue to comprehensively, accurately and unswervingly implement the principles of "one country, two systems", "Hong Kong people governing Hong Kong" and a high degree of autonomy, implement the central government's comprehensive jurisdiction over the special administrative region, and firmly implement the principle of "patriots governing Hong Kong". ", with all your strength Support the Chief Executive and the Government of the Special Administrative Region in governing in accordance with the law, support Hong Kong in consolidating and upgrading its status as an international financial, trade, and shipping center, accelerate the establishment of an international innovation and technology center, enhance Hong Kong's international competitiveness, leverage Hong Kong's unique advantages, better integrate into the overall development of the country, and maintain long-term Prosperity and stability. believes that after Mr. Li Jiachao takes office as the Chief Executive, he will be able to unite and lead the new government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and people from all walks of life in Hong Kong to work together, be pragmatic and enterprising, create a new situation in Hong Kong's development, and continue to write a new chapter in the successful implementation of "one country, two systems".
Chief Executive-designate Li Jiachao issued a statement, expressing his sincere gratitude to the Central People's Government for his appointment. He is deeply honored and aware of the great responsibility and will shoulder the mission loyally and resolutely. Li Jiachao said in the statement that he will live up to the trust of the central government and the people of Hong Kong and lead the new SAR government to fully and accurately implement the principles of "one country, two systems", "Hong Kong people governing Hong Kong" and a high degree of autonomy in accordance with the Basic Law. He also said that he would fulfill his responsibilities, face difficulties, and be committed to relieving people's difficulties, uniting society, and building a Hong Kong full of vitality, hope, development opportunities, care and harmony.
A spokesman for the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council said in a statement on May 20 that the central government today appointed Li Jiachao as the sixth chief executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. We would like to express our sincere congratulations to Mr. Li Jiachao on his appointment. The spokesperson of
pointed out that Mr. Li Jiachao has served in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government for a long time and has served as Secretary for Security, Chief Secretary for Administration and other important positions. He has a firm stance of patriotism and Hong Kong, is familiar with government operations, has the courage to take on responsibilities, is pragmatic and promising, and has gained recognition from all walks of life in Hong Kong society. widely recognized and highly trusted by the central government. A spokesman for
said that the next five years will be a critical period for Hong Kong to move from chaos to governance and prosperity. The new chief executive and the new SAR government have great responsibilities and glorious missions. We believe that Mr. Li Jiachao will be able to unite talented people from all walks of life to form a governance team that loves the country and Hong Kong, takes responsibility, is united and serves the people. will lead Hong Kong society to work hard, forge ahead, and work together for the common good. Hong Kong opens a new chapter.
The spokesperson emphasized that the central government will continue to comprehensively, accurately and unswervingly implement the policies of "one country, two systems", "Hong Kong people governing Hong Kong" and a high degree of autonomy, fully support the chief executive and the SAR government in governing the country in accordance with the law, and support Hong Kong in preventing and controlling the epidemic, developing the economy, and improving people’s livelihood, consolidate and enhance Hong Kong’s status as an international financial, trade and shipping center, and better integrate into the overall development of the country. has the strong support of the central government and the mainland of the motherland, and the united efforts of the SAR government and all sectors of society. Hong Kong will surely create new glories from a new starting point!
Li Ka-chiu met with many legislators and was highly expected
On the same day, Chief Executive-designate Li Ka-chiu met with legislators from the Hong Kong and Kowloon Federation of Labor Societies (Federation of Labor Societies), Federation of Trade Unions, , New Thinking and other legislators to introduce the government structure to them. Reorganization plan.
Lee Ka-chiu said that the reorganization of the government structure can enable individual policy bureaus to "more focus and deal with issues of concern to Hong Kong society in detail", and at the same time create synergy among the integrated policy bureaus; and the addition of three deputy director positions will strengthen the SAR The government's governance and coordination capabilities promote cross-bureau and cross-department coordination and improve governance efficiency.
On May 17, Li Jiachao officially introduced the reorganization plan of the SAR government structure, which will be increased from the current "three departments and 13 bureaus" to "three departments and 15 bureaus": a new "Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau" will be added; the original "Transport and Housing Bureau" split into "Transport and Housing Bureau" "Home Affairs Bureau" and "Housing Bureau"; reorganized "Home Affairs Bureau" into "Home Affairs and Youth Affairs Bureau"; expanded "Environment Bureau" and renamed it as "Environment and Ecology Bureau"; renamed "Innovation and Technology Bureau" "Innovation, Technology and Industry Bureau"; and reorganize the original "Food and Health Bureau" into the "Medical and Health Bureau".
In addition, Li Jiachao also proposed to add three deputy directors: "Secretary of Government Affairs", "Secretary of Finance" and "Department of Justice". He said that after the reorganization is completed, the Chief Secretary for Administration will need to supervise and coordinate 9 policy bureaus, the Financial Secretary will need to supervise and coordinate 6 policy bureaus, and the Department of Justice will need to supervise 6 legal professional departments under its jurisdiction. The workload is heavy and the new The establishment of deputy directors will help "strengthen governance capabilities."
According to Hong Kong media reports, Li Jiachao called on the legislators participating in the meeting on May 20 to support the reorganization plan, and hoped to complete the legislative and appropriation procedures before mid-June so that the new government structure can be officially implemented on July 1.
Picture source: Hong Kong Toutiao Daily
On the same day, Li Jiachao also listened to the opinions of members on the new SAR government, including epidemic prevention and control, customs clearance, economic development, employment, unemployment support, land and housing, etc. Wu Qiubei, president of the Federation of Trade Unions, expressed his willingness to actively participate in the new government structure and serve the public. He also suggested that the SAR government should be considerate of the livelihood difficulties of grassroots workers and "do more work" in protecting workers.
Federation of Labor Legislative Council member Zhou Xiaosong also suggested that the SAR government should protect the income and rights of grassroots workers through specific channels, including establishing a "normalized unemployment assistance mechanism", implementing an "annual review" of the social minimum wage, and regulating the most Long working hours and overtime limits, etc.
Lin Zhensheng, a member of the Legislative Council of the Federation of Labor Unions, hopes that the new SAR government can effectively carry out poverty alleviation work. He said that many young couples and grassroots families were unable to apply for public housing, and most of their income was used to pay rent, which greatly reduced their living standards. Lin Zhensheng suggested that the SAR government should take a multi-pronged approach and be determined to "find land to build housing" and reduce the cumbersome procedures of each process to "help poverty alleviation by increasing the supply of public housing."
Left: Zhou Xiaosong; Right: Lin Zhensheng
The first face-to-face exchange between "New Thinking" Chairman Di Zhiyuan and Li Jiachao that day also attracted widespread attention from the Hong Kong media. Di Zhiyuan was a former founding member and vice chairman of the Democratic Party, and was regarded by the outside world as an important embodiment of the "colorful" new Legislative Council.
Di Zhiyuan, who once publicly stated that he voted for Li Jiachao in the election, said, "I voted without consciously thinking about how I expected the new chief executive to respond to me." )", but today's exchange is the first step in a positive interaction, and we hope that both parties will continue to communicate in the future. Di Zhiyuan said that he hoped that Li Jiachao could continue to listen to the opinions of different political spectrums, political parties and civil society groups, which would be helpful in uniting citizens from different walks of life and jointly building Hong Kong.
He also pointed out that Li Jiachao acted very sincerely: "Mr. Li has told me privately that we are all different (we all have different views) and that communication is necessary and everyone can work together." I saw his sincerity (I saw his sincerity) and at least accepted our voices (at least he accepted our voices)." Di Zhiyuan also said that "new thinking" is willing to work. Promote Li Jiachao to play an active role in meeting with different parties.
First from the left: Di Zhiyuan
Ye Liu Shuyi: The SAR government must make drastic reforms to resolve social conflicts
htm lOn May 20, Ip Lau Suk-yee, a member of the Executive Council of the SAR Government, wrote in the "Bauhinia Forum" that there are five contradictions in Hong Kong under "one country, two systems", including a socialist country inclusive a capitalist society , highly open and incompletely open , differences between civil law and common law, political systems, differences in ideologies .
Ip Lau Suk-yee stressed that these contradictions can be resolved, "Methods include regulating the capitalist market through policies, using laws to resist the interference and penetration of Western forces, respecting common law principles, carrying out major political surgery for Hong Kong, and rebuilding Hong Kong's patriotism Love Hong Kong’s positive values”.
She also said that the support and guidance provided by the central government are indispensable in resolving conflicts, such as enacting the Hong Kong National Security Law and improving the electoral system. The country’s “14th Five-Year Plan” affirmed Hong Kong’s status as eight international centers. And when Hong Kong faced the severe COVID-19 epidemic, the central government gave Hong Kong unlimited support, which will help Hong Kong's recovery and long-term development in the post-epidemic era.
Ip Lau Suk-yee pointed out that the new governance team of the SAR government must carry out drastic reforms in order to effectively implement development strategies that are beneficial to Hong Kong's economy and people's livelihood, and to ensure the stability and long-term development of "one country, two systems".
Protect others and yourself, get vaccinated together
Health Protection Department of the Special Administrative Region Government The Joint Scientific Committee under the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, together with the Chief Executive’s Expert Advisory Group, issued the latest version of the “Temporary Consensus Recommendations” on “vaccination of the fourth dose of the COVID-19 vaccine ” on May 20, proposing that vaccination with the fourth dose of the COVID-19 vaccine may be May provide temporary additional protection against infection and symptoms in younger adults. As for the elderly aged 60 or above, given that this age group accounts for the majority of deaths from the fifth wave of the epidemic in Hong Kong, the Joint Scientific Committee and the Expert Advisory Group have previously recommended that they receive the fourth dose of the new coronavirus vaccine as much as possible.
Data from the Center for Health Protection of the Department of Health of the Hong Kong SAR Government shows that as of May 19, a total of 16.572 million shots of the new crown vaccine have been administered in Hong Kong, of which more than 6.678 million citizens have received the first shot, accounting for 91.7%; more than 6.271 million citizens have received the second shot injection, accounting for 86.2%; more than 3.53 million citizens have received the third dose, accounting for 52.1%; and another 92,000 citizens have received the fourth dose.
The outside world has noticed that on May 20, the Secretary for Food and Health of the SAR Government Zhaoshi Chan and the Chair Professor of the Department of Microbiology of the University of Hong Kong Yuan Guoyong and others jointly wrote an article in the newspaper emphasizing that even when the epidemic situation in Hong Kong is gradually slowing down and the second phase of social distancing is relaxed, After the quarantine measures are lifted, the "vaccine passport" is still a necessary epidemic prevention and control measure, which will help the social and economic activities of the public and all sectors of society return to normal.
According to a report from the Department of Health of the SAR Government that day, as of 0:00 on May 20, there were 243 new confirmed cases in Hong Kong. The fifth wave of the epidemic has seen a total of 1,197,300 confirmed cases and a total of 9,157 deaths. The overall mortality rate has remained at around 0.76%. The Hospital Authority stated that 4 deaths were reported through the Hospital Authority in the past 24 hours, 3 of whom had not received the COVID-19 vaccine, and the remaining 1 had received three doses of the vaccine.
