The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, today (August 20) led his team of Principal Officials to attend the 2023 Policy Address District Forum to directly listen to views and suggestions of members of local communities on the second Policy Address of the current term Government. The District Forum was held at Aldrich Bay Government Primary School and attended by about 120 people from all walks of life.
      
     Twenty one Principal Officials participated in the District Forum, including the Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Chan Kwok-ki; the Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan; the Secretary for Justice, Mr Paul Lam, SC; the Deputy Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Cheuk Wing-hing; the Deputy Financial Secretary, Mr Michael Wong; the Deputy Secretary for Justice, Mr Cheung Kwok-kwan; the Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Mr Kevin Yeung; the Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs, Mr Erick Tsang Kwok-wai; the Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Mr Christopher Hui; the Secretary for Health, Professor Lo Chung-mau; the Secretary for Transport and Logistics, Mr Lam Sai-hung; the Secretary for Development, Ms Bernadette Linn; the Secretary for Housing, Ms Winnie Ho; the Secretary for the Civil Service, Mrs Ingrid Yeung; the Secretary for Education, Dr Choi Yuk-lin; the Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Professor Sun Dong; the Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Mr Chris Sun; the Acting Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Dr Bernard Chan; the Acting Secretary for Security, Mr Michael Cheuk; the Acting Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs, Mr Clarence Leung; and the Under Secretary for Environment and Ecology, Miss Diane Wong.
      
     The two-hour District Forum consisted of two sessions. In the first session, the Chief Executive and the Principal Officials listened to the views of members of the public. The matters of concern covered various topics including land and housing, transport, innovation and technology, finance, culture and sports, education, youth, poverty alleviation, healthcare and social welfare and so on. In the second session, participants were divided into four groups with the themes of "Boosting Economy" and "People's Livelihood" to engage in extensive discussions with the Principal Officials. Mr Lee interacted with members of the public of each group in turn and listened to their views.
      
     Mr Lee said, "My team and I have fruitful and fulfilling interactions with the members of the public in today's District Forum and listened to a number of valuable views. I truly feel everyone's deep affection for Hong Kong and the aspirations to make it a better home together. Solving problems encountered by the public in their daily lives and doing our utmost for people's livelihood are the responsibilities and goal of my team and myself. 
      
     "I firmly believe that in formulating policies, it is necessary to have a holistic view, strategic and innovative mindset, and at the same time, we must also look at the different needs of the public in their daily lives, and understand the living conditions of different sectors of the community, so that we can achieve the goal of proactively responding to the people's aspirations. My team and I will actively consider the views from the participants with the aim of responding to the trust and expectations from the members of the public on the Government."
      
     The public consultation exercise for the Policy Address was launched in late July. The Government will continue to tap the views of organisations and individuals from different sectors in the coming month or so by taking part in activities including consultation sessions and district visits. Members of the public can also give their views through various channels, including the Policy Address website, social media platforms, hotlines, or through email, fax and post.

Ends/Sunday, August 20, 2023
Issued at HKT 12:30

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