Visiting the districts again

I have arranged for three district forums in these two months to meet the public in person and listen to their views. The first was held in Tin Shui Wai this afternoon.

I attended this forum together with the Secretary for Home Affairs, Mr Tsang Tak-sing, and the Secretary for Security, Mr Lai Tung-kwok. Several hundred people attended the forum, and 17 of them raised their opinions or questions.

Both before and after my election, I have attached great importance to direct dialogue with the public. On a small scale, I have talked with people I met on the street, shop owners and cleaners in local tea restaurants. On a larger scale, I have attended district or industry-based sharing sessions. In comparison, I find district forums more effective and systematic in collecting the wisdom of local communities.

Every time I have attended a large-scale district activity, there have always been demonstrations and disruptions, and large teams of police officers have had to be deployed to maintain order. Before today’s forum, I told the Hong Kong Police Force that I would not be deterred from participating in large-scale district activities by such wilful unruly behaviour, and would never blame such behaviour on the Police.

Order in today’s forum was better than that in the previous ones. We all know that people who carry the banner of democracy and freedom should not obstruct the direct exchange of views between the public and government officials.

Video of the Chief Executive delivering his opening remarks at the forum

August 11, 2013