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Few surprises as HK's Tsang gives cautious address
2005-10-12
HONG KONG - In a bid to make good his pledge of more inclusive governance, Hong Kong's new leader Donald Tsang said on Wednesday he would expand his cabinet and promised a raft of measures to help marginalised groups.But Tsang, who took over from unpopular former chief executive Tung Chee-hwa in June with Beijing's tacit approval, delivered few surprises in his 90-minute maiden policy speech, details of which had been heavily leaked to the local media. Hong Kong's benchmark Hang Seng index ?.HSI? closed 0.9 percent lower at the midday break. Traders said the market was disappointed by the lack of concrete new measures to boost the economy. "It's a vote of no confidence in the lack of originality," said Francis Lun, general manager at Fulbright Securities, referring to the speech. Despite long-running public demands for universal suffrage and pleas from pro-democracy groups to outline his plans for 2007 and 2008 when the city's next leader and batch of legislators will be chosen, Tsang chose to steer clear of this sensitive issue, saying a package of proposals would be "published later". Instead Tsang, dressed in his trademark bow-tie, called repeatedly for harmony and urged the city's 7 million residents to put aside their differences for the "overall and long-term interests of Hong Kong" -- a phrase often used by Beijing. "Mainstream public opinion is for stability, harmony and continued progress," Tsang said, echoing what Chinese leaders have repeatedly been telling this city in recent months. China, which took back this former British colony in 1997, has ruled out universal suffrage for Hong Kong for several more years. Although many people in Hong Kong want full voting rights as early as 2007, Beijing says that is way too soon and that political reforms must be introduced gradually. EXPANDS CABINET Tsang, who has repeatedly promised more inclusive governance, said he would expand his cabinet, the Executive Council, but he did not give details nor name any of the new members. Local newspapers reported this week that Tsang would be recruiting prominent pro-democracy academic Anthony Cheung, a former leading member of the opposition Democratic Party. "To achieve strong governance, the government needs to secure a broader and firmer support base. I will increase the membership of ... the Executive Council," Tsang said. "I have decided to increase the number of non-official Members in the Council." Cabinet members in Hong Kong collectively make policies and key decisions, which are then carried out by the civil service. Tsang also pledged to put more money and resources into tackling the rising trend of family violence in Hong Kong and help children in poor families and the disabled. On the economy, Tsang said more jobs would be created through the introduction of small-scale projects in the districts. He also announced an increase in the number of mainland Chinese cities from which tourists will be allowed to come to Hong Kong without joining a tour group, a programme that has boosted the territory's economy. He also said China has agreed in principle to expand the yuan-denominated businesses of Hong Kong banks, including raising exchange limits. Hong Kong's economy grew 6.5 percent in the first half of 2005 from 2004, one of Asia's best performers, and is on course for 6 percent growth or more for the full year, analysts say. (Reuters)
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