The public knows what is going on

The Legislative Council (LegCo)’s Finance Committee (FC) held a meeting this afternoon, which has just been adjourned. Of the 11 items concerning people’s livelihoods put forward by the Government for early discussion, only two were endorsed today after more than six hours of meeting.

Three years ago, the Government formally requested the LegCo to consider the proposal for the establishment of Innovation and Technology Bureau (ITB). Due to continued filibustering by some LegCo Members in the pan-democratic camp, the ITB has yet to be established. According to normal scheduling, this proposal should have been discussed at today’s FC meeting, followed by items concerning people’s livelihood which were proposed by the Government only recently.

Without a strong economy, people’s livelihoods cannot improve. Innovation and technology are becoming more and more important to our economy. As they can make our lives convenient, safe and comfortable, they are also related to people’s livelihood. Hong Kong is lagging behind in innovation and technology. We must act fast to catch up.

The 20 months’ debate on constitutional reform finally came to an end last Thursday. I hope that the Government and the whole community can now focus their energy on boosting the economy and improving people’s livelihood. Last Friday, I took the initiative to announce that 11 items concerning people’s livelihood would be put before the proposal for the establishment of the ITB, which had been on the table for three years. I also appealed to the community to set aside disagreements and preconceptions, and to work together for Hong Kong’s future by seeking consensus on social, economic and livelihood issues in a rational and pragmatic manner.

The Government has taken the first step in the hope of getting the pan-democrats to give up filibustering in the LegCo and deliberate on each item proposed by the Government according to normal practice. As the FC meets for only a few hours every week, any delay will be detrimental to our economy and people’s livelihood.

As always, the Government welcomes normal deliberation and voting by the pan-democrats. As to whether their actions amount to normal deliberation or filibustering, the public knows what is going on.

June 26, 2015