Today is the annual Chief Executive Policy address and John Lee’s second one in his term. He spent 3 hours and 20 minutes delivering his speech, making it the longest in HK’s history. This article will be divided into two parts: Photos by yours truly live at the address press conference, and all the policies mentioned in the speech.
Here is the list of policies the Chief Executive announced during his address, which he admitted was long as he has a long agenda to deliver. (In bold are the more important policies):
Legislate for Article 23 of the Basic Law by 2024
A new national education working group that can coordinate patriotic education among government departments and NGOs
On-campus national security education: Strengthened training for teachers, and a new humanities curriculum framework for primary school students
Investing in Greater Bay Area projects
Digital government services in Hong Kong, Greater Bay Area: digital government and smart city initiatives which include blockchains and AI
Advance a performance-based management system for civil servants
The civil service code will be updated based on the principle of “patriots administering Hong Kong”
Predictive tech, drainage among extreme weather solutions
MTR to review disaster prevention tactics
See measures to keep stock markets open even during storms and heavy rain
Joint contingency plan for Greater Bay Area in disaster prevention
From Thursday, foreign staff of overseas companies registered in Hong Kong will be able to apply for a single visa allowing for multiple entries to the mainland
A talent service office will be set up by the end of October to provide help to incoming talent
Attracting talent from Vietnam, Laos, and Nepal by relaxing visa policies
HK$10 billion boost for the industry, semiconductors in the spotlight
Relaxed arrangements for foreign vocational graduates
“Global Talent Summit cum Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Greater Bay Area High-quality Talent Development Conference” to promote regional exchange and cooperation in attracting people in 2024
Trial for simplifying personal data transfer with Guangdong counterparts
Third InnoHK cluster for research, development
New measures to support the film industry
Subsidies for 5G networks in rural areas
New office to develop creative, cultural industries
Support the continued development of small and medium-sized businesses through several measures, including policies to help them improve e-commerce sales on the mainland, use data for their financial needs, and raise funds through relaxed and flexible loan terms under the SME Financing Guarantee Scheme
The city will promote regional trade via the 10-member ASEAN trade block and markets in the Middle East, Central Asia, and Africa
Stamp duty to be eased for stock trading from 0.13% to 0.1%
Air travelers can clear security with electronics, liquids in bags
Market review on narrowing trading spreads of stocks
Lee targets ‘headquarters economy’
Northern Metropolis action plan ready
Proposed Sandy Ridge columbarium to give way to IT hub
A refined blueprint 2.0 next year with a focus on cruises
The Hong Kong and Shenzhen governments will work together to support the development of the Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Cooperation Zone. Cross-border travel for research and development staff there will also be streamlined
Buses, taxis to go green for 2050 emissions target
Free EV charging at government car parks to stop at end of year
License requirements to be simplified for food sellers
Shorter waiting time for public housing
Starting next year, authorities will open the restricted areas of Sha Tau Kok, except Chung Ying Street, to tourists. Visitors can apply for closed-area permits online in the initial stage.
Lee says the public housing supply is steady
A new task force will be established and led by the deputy financial secretary to study the problem and “resurgence” of “substandard subdivided flats”, Lee says, adding it will be asked to present recommendations in 10 months’ time.
Subsidised flats up for private tender
Revitalising land nearing Hung Hom station
Improving building safety, clamping down on maintenance
No plan to build more homes in green belt areas
HK$20k cash reward for every newborn starting on Wednesday
From Wednesday, families with newborns will have priority to purchase their own government-subsidized flats, with 10 percent of coming flats reserved for them.
These families will also have their waiting time for public rental flats reduced by one year under the new Families with Newborns Allocation Priority Scheme which will take effect from April next year.
Starting next year, the tax deduction ceiling for home loan interest or domestic rents will also be raised from HK$100,000 at present to HK$120,000, an increase of 20 percent, for taxpayers who currently live with their first child born currently, or later, until the child reaches the age of 18.
Buyers’ stamp duty halved to 7.5 percent from 15 percent for non-permanent residents, effective immediately, and for residents buying a second or additional home
Special stamp duty equivalent to 10 percent of home price will be waived for owners who resell property within two years, cut from three years, effective immediately
Eligible overseas talent is no longer required to pay stamp duty on property unless they fail to become permanent residents.
Impact assessment for Lantau starting on Thursday
New local mass transit systems: Lee proposes adopting mass transit systems “SkyShuttle”, “Autonomous Rail Rapid Transit” and “Bus Rapid Transit” in Kai Tak, East Kowloon, Hung Shui Kiu, and Ha Tsuen
Support the use of assisted reproductive technology
An advisory panel to tap into the ‘silver economy’
From next April, the monthly child allowance under the working family allowance scheme will increase by 15 percent.
Residents with disabilities who are on comprehensive social security assistance and are working will be eligible to receive an extra HK$500 subsidy to encourage their participation in the workforce, under a three-year pilot scheme that will benefit 6,800 people
New funding and more measures to take care of the elderly
Community care teams to help the elderly and disabled
A dedicated fund for NGOs
Foster family payments to double
Relief for people in poverty and residents in subdivided flats
New care teams for ethnic minority groups
Increase the maximum monthly retraining allowance from HK$5,800 to HK$8,000
Plan for funding teenagers 13-17 to have private dental in 2025
Work on Hong Kong's own drug approval system
Non-locally trained dentists and nurses to fill in occupation gaps
Institute for Greater Bay drug research and development
Blueprint for the future of traditional Chinese medicine
‘Art elements’ for toilets, external walls at sports venues
More support for sports development
Places for non-local students at publicly funded universities to double
Dedicated town for university students in Northern Metropolis
Universities of applied sciences to be developed
Financial Secretary Paul Chan to set up an office to come up with funding proposals for Northern Metropolis and Lantau artificial islands mega projects