LSS Newsletter Issue 2 (2014-2015)

LSS Newsletter Issue 2 March 2015

2015 Policy Address

No idea what the 2015 Policy Address is about? Read now!

Quiz Time Want to challenge yourself? Answer the questions! Prizes are waiting for you!

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Content Page Number(s)

Introduction of 2015 Policy Address 3

Politics in the Policy Address 4-‐5

Education and Social Welfare in the Policy Address

6-‐7

Land Use in the Policy Address 8-‐9

Environmental Conservation in the Policy Address

10

Post-‐Address Highlights 11-‐12

Students’ Views 13-‐16

Quiz Time 17

Content Page

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Released on 14 January, 2015, the 2015 Policy Address focuses on three major themes, namely Uphold the Rule of Law, Seize the Opportunities and Make the Right Choices. Similar to previous years, the over 200-‐page Address discusses Hong Kong issues in various aspects, comprehending Constitutional Development, Economy, Healthcare, Housing, Land and Transport and so on. In the second issue of newsletter, Liberal Studies Society, through introducing the highlights of the Policy Address, will walk you through this crucial yet somewhat lengthy document of Hong Kong.

The Policy Address

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Politics in the Policy Address 1) Universal suffrage Responding to the recent public demand for universal suffrage, the Policy Address restates various documents rooted in Hong Kong. Sino-‐British Joint Declaration The Chief Executive will be appointed by the Central People's Government on the basis of the results of elections or consultations to be held locally. Principal officials will be nominated by the Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region for appointment by the Central People's Government." Basic Law Article 45 “The method for selecting the Chief Executive shall be specified in the light of the actual situation in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and in accordance with the principle of gradual and orderly progress. The ultimate aim is the selection of the Chief Executive by universal suffrage upon nomination by a broadly representative nominating committee in accordance with democratic procedures.” 2) District Administration Salaries of district councillors will be increased by 15%. An additional $10,000 will be proffered for each councillor per term so as to cover expenses more holistically. In the coming five years, an annual funding of $20.8 million will be granted for community involvement projects to encourage more district-‐level cultural activities.

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3) Democracy CY Leung states that society should fully recognise the “aspirations of (our) young leaders for democracy” and their “concern for political reforms”. He urges the public to commend youngsters for their merits and rectify them if possible such that they can be guided towards the correct way of constitutional development. Otherwise, the discussion on constitutional development will become “fruitless”. With the mention of HKU’s UndergradMagazine titled “Hong Kong people deciding their own fate” last February, CY Leung says that some teens have misstated the facts and asks political figures to advise the youths such that they will not put forward “such fallacies”. He adds: "The rule of law is the foundation of Hong Kong. The democratic development of Hong Kong must therefore be underpinned by the same. As we pursue democracy, we should act in accordance with the law, or Hong Kong will degenerate into anarchy."

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Socially speaking, the Policy Address has given considerable attention to this aspect, mainly in terms of education, population as well as care for the less privileged. Education and Population -‐A pilot scheme will be launched in local public schools as well as Direct Subsidy Scheme schools in order to double the number of local and mainland primary and secondary sister school pairs to 600 within 3 years starting from the year 2015/16. -‐Curriculum of Mathematics, Sciences, Chinese History and World History will be renewed. -‐Increase the teacher-‐student ratio in primary schools from the current 50% to 65% in the year 2017/18. -‐Strengthen childcare services by offering about 6200 kindergartens and similar institutes. -‐A $300 million Youth Development Fund will be set up to encourage youths to start their own businesses. -‐Employees Retraining Board will provide 800 and 1300 places to train ethnic minorities and new immigrants respectively so as to increase their competitiveness to enter into the job market.

Education and Social Welfare in the Policy Address

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In Chapter 4 of the Policy Address, the main directions for land use policies of the HKSAR government can be summarised into the followings:

Residential units and Development of places Major housing policies are listed below (comparison with last year’s policy address):

• Updating Development Strategies: Update the “Hong Kong 2030: Planning Vision and Strategy” published in 2007 (newly suggested)

• New Residential Units: Adopt a total of 480 000 new residential units as the long-‐term housing supply target from 2015-‐16 to 2024-‐25, with the 60:40 split between public and private housing maintained. (similar with last year’s policies)

• Energising Kowloon East: Implement concept of ‘walkable Kowloon East’ (last year applied the “place-‐making” concept instead)

• Developing Lantau: Explore the potential for recreation and tourism development in Lantau, particularly in the rural township and countryside. (newly suggested)

Land Use in the Policy Address

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Fund for Agriculture

In the Policy Address, fund for agriculture will be set up. The figure below shows the details of the fund.

Modernisation of Agriculture Establishment of an Agricultural Park (Agri-‐Park) and a Sustainable Agriculture Development Fund (SADF)

è encourage the application of new and advanced technologies to local agriculture è enhance the industry's overall competitiveness è help farmers move up the value chain è expand the marketing of local agricultural products and brand building è promote other auxiliary activities which will raise the income of farmers.

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As revealed in the Policy Address, air quality in Hong Kong has improved considerably in recent years. Annual average production of gases like sulphur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide and respiratory suspended particles has dropped 8%, 6% and 4% respectively. Still, there is still quite a lot of space for making progress. To create a greener Hong Kong, CY Leung has proposed policies in various aspects, including energy, natural conservation and air quality.

Environmental Conservation in the Policy Address

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CY Leung attended quite a number of activities and forums after release of the Policy Address. (1)Press conference on Policy Address Right after presenting his Policy Address, Chief Executive CY Leung attended a press conference. It was a brief summary of the policy address. He firstly pointed out the major problems of Hong Kong in different aspects, and later articulated the main objectives of his Policy Address, including some major policies and developmental orientations of Hong Kong as well as certain target groups to be helped by the government.

(2) Question-‐and-‐answer session in the Legislative Council For Legislative Councilors to raise questions or express thoughts on his latest Address, he

had to answer the Councilors by having a more in-‐depth explanation about different aspects of the Address Policy. During the session, he had encountered protests and received criticism by different Councilors concerning issues such as the methods of Universal Suffrage of Chief Executive in 2017 and the mandatory students exchange programme between primary and secondary schools in Hong Kong and mainland China. Freedom of Speech Joseph Lee Kok-‐long(李國麟), Legislative Councillor representing the Health Services

functional constituency: “Freedom of speech should be present in universities. The HKU newsletter Undergrad should not be criticised in any way.” CY Leung: “I am always in touch with teenagers and hence believe that they should have

freedom of speech and thought. At the same time, though, they must also establish correct moral values.” Interaction with Teenagers Michael Tien(田北辰), the deputy chairperson of New People’s Party: “The Policy Address is

hearing but not listening as the government does not interact well with teenagers. The Commission on Youth is not representative at all since most members are either middle-‐aged or are simply rich second generation.” CY Leung: “Teenagers are crucial for the future as they will become leaders someday. I have

been the chairperson for School Management Committee for 12 years and I hope to interact face-‐to-‐face with adolescents in the near future.”

Post-‐Address Highlights

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(3) Radio phone-‐in programmes on Policy Address Failing image of CY Leung Mr Ho (citizen): “Wherever you (CY Leung) go, you are booed, scolded or thrown eggs, how do you think you should alter your image?” CY Leung: “I would like to listen to citizens how I can do better.” Educational Exchanges to the Mainland Miss Ho (citizen): “Why can you send your children to Britain while normal citizens like myself have to send my kids to Mainland China? I wish my children can go to Europe, America or other modernised places to learn and exchange.” Foreign parent (citizen): “Did you consider the non-‐Chinese speaking students? We are not interested in your mainland, we are not interested in your China, we are Hongkongers, we are not Mainlanders.” CY Leung: “Administrative burden to teachers for trips faraway from Hong Kong is much heavier. Not all families can afford their children to go to faraway trips.” Interaction with Mainlanders Miss Leung (citizen) : “Parallel traders in Sheung Shui are competing space with Hong Kongers. Some have even rented a lot of shops just for storage of materials. Emergence of expensive food in even Cha Chaan Tang is due to the fact rent has increased substantially.” Mr. Lam (citizen): “Streets in Hong Kong now look like those in Shenzhen as there are more and more Mainlanders.” CY Leung: “It is understood that parallel traders have affected Hong Kongers adversely. Many governmental departments have stepped up efforts to combat against such nuisance incurred by Mainlanders. Citizens should make complaints to the government if the impact is too negative or tremendous.”

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Natalie Fung 5G To me, one of the most mind-‐bottling highlights of the Policy Address is CY Leung’s criticism towards Undergrad, the official newsletter of the University of Hong Kong, which highlights the increasingly restrictive approach of the government towards constitutional development. Especially when the Occupy Movement occurred last year with multitudes of people expressing their political views, it is more than reasonable for us to expect policies or ideas which can possibly pacify our desires. Yet, as revealed in the current Policy Address, CY Leung’s reprimand towards the “Hong Kong independence” idea advocated by Undergrad, which deviates from our expectations, inflicts doubts regarding the political motivation behind the strong comments. It seems that there is hidden political agenda in which Hong Kongers’ freedom (particularly political rights) tapers off. Plus, as Undergrad is published by HKU, which values liberty and independence of students, such criticism incurs the dissent of both the University and the general public who consider this as threat to freedom of expression and speech. Yes, we know that Hong Kong is under a “high degree of autonomy”, as opposed to “absolute autonomy” under “One Country, Two Systems”, but it is still our basic human right to express our opinions regarding Hong Kong, our homeland. The Policy Address should not be used as a platform to ban us Hong Kongers from formulating opinions.

Steki Chung 2E The government thinks that it can make good use of overseas talent to cope with the rising demand for manpower in the healthcare sector. In addtion to increasing the number of examination sittings, Hong Kong may have more flexibility in encouraging qualified overseas doctors to practice in Hong Kong. However, if professionals are coming in a large scale, it will increase the difficulties of Hong Kong teenagers to obtain employment due to the increased competition with overseas counterparts. Therefore, I believe that the government should optimise the use and development of local workforce through adequate and sufficient training.

Students’ Views

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Michelle Wong 5G As a student, the Youth Education and Development part of the Policy Address is, unquestionably, the part that interests me the most. This year, there is a rather controversial suggestion outlined in the Policy Address: Provide subsidy for students to join at least one Mainland exchange programme each in the primary and secondary stages. There has been clamour from both sides, one saying that it is a reasonable policy as we are indeed a part of China and should have more interactions, while another claiming that it is another policy in line for Hong Kong-‐Chinese assimilation. Personally, I think that the children of the coming generation will have to face fierce competition from China as Hong Kong will be fully returned to China in roughly 32 years (2047 is the end of the policy “50 years unchanged”), and are therefore necessary to have more interactions with China to prepare themselves. This can facilitate a better cooperation and transition when Hong Kong does not enjoy our special rights anymore and minimise the hostility and conflicts between Hong Kong citizens and Chinese.

Emily Ha 5H

Chief Executive Leung Chun Ying began giving his speech on the 2015 Policy Address by condemning the cover story entitled "Hong Kong people deciding their own fate", which was about the self-‐determination of Hong Kong in last February’s issue of the University of Hong Kong’s Undergrad magazine. Starting off with such a strong comment, it is justifiable to believe that most of the policies introduced are to respond to the Occupy Central Movement sparked off last September. “We should guard against any acts which will jeopardize our competitiveness, tarnish our reputation, or undermine Hong Kong's stability and prosperity,” Leung emphasised. The reforms put forward in the education and economy aspects are correlated to the social tension recently, from my point of view. In view of the education aspect, the curriculums of Chinese History and World History will be modified and renewed to strengthen and consolidate the students’ interest in their motherland, China, and with the aim to broaden their horizons. Besides, the number of mainland sister schools of Hong Kong secondary schools are commanded to be doubled in the coming academic year 2015-‐2016, which is a pilot scheme of its kind aiming to enhance the harmony between Hong Kong and the Mainland. Regarding the economy aspect, Leung has urged the public to be vigilant for the economic prosperity of Hong Kong, implying many people in the city are underestimating the economy’s share in the metropolis. More developments in trades between the Mainland and Hong Kong are ready to be put forward, namely market liberalisation.

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Jackie Wu 4E Hong Kong housing problem has always been a pressing issue. In my opinion, the Policy Address cannot really solve the housing issue. Overall prices rose more than 11 per cent in the first 11 months of 2014, in spite of the Chief Executive's pledge to solve housing problems in his previous Policy Address. Instead of supplying more land for residential use, the government should try to resolve the problem of skyrocketing house price in order to help the sandwich class in HK. The government is trying to develop the northwestern territories including Kwu Tung North, Fanling North and more. It is believed that the increasing supply of flats will slow down the increasing prices. The residential project will include 40 percent of public housing and 60 percent of private housing. However, the majority of the private housing is “ low density luxury housing”, which is not what most Hong Kong citizens are looking for, not to mention the destruction brought to traditional cultures and agriculture due to the development. To me, the Hong Kong government’s plan is an unsustainable one. More has to be done to conserve our rural area. In conclusion, 2015 Policy address cannot solve the deep-‐rooted housing problem in Hong Kong, which many citizens still have to suffer from.

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William Wong 4F & Adrian Kwong 4H The Policy Address in 2015 reflects the extension of Chinese influence into Hong Kong. Communist China’s principal goals are often interpreted as the maintenance of effective political control over Hong Kong’s political environment and political thought. This goal is likely to clash with those of the pan-‐democracy camp, the segments of political and civil society aimed at the promotion of democracy and autonomy in Hong Kong. The Policy Address stressed Hong Kong’s "high degree of autonomy", as distinct from “absolute autonomy”, under “One Country, Two Systems”. This continues the recent deviation from a framework of federalism where power-‐sharing between locality and core is enshrined constitutionally, to one of devolution in which the Beijing government holds ultimate power. In addition, “Undergrad”, a publication which has discussed Hong Kong’s right to self-‐determination, was condemned as erroneous and worthy of vigilance. These actions illustrate an increasing Chinese desire and capacity to intervene in Hong Kong’s political environment and introduce dominant Chinese political narratives into Hong Kong. In constitutional reform, the government has stayed firm and rejected most forms of liberal modifications on the basis on the Chinese decision on electoral reform. Given this and the aforementioned introduction of Chinese influence into Hong Kong, conflict between the pan-‐democratic camp and Beijing’s allies may subsequently be intensified. Another Chinese objective is sometimes identified as the promotion of financial reform through Hong Kong. Incorporation of Hong Kong’s economy into China’s has been promoted, with high praise of the Shanghai-‐Hong Kong Stock Connect which has merely received a lukewarm reception in the market, and the advocation of expansion of Hong Kong’s representation in China with little regard to engagement with other nations.

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Quiz Time 1. What is the name of the publication criticised in the 2015 Policy Address? 2. With reference to the 2015 Policy Address, name three subjects whose curriculum will be renewed. 3. Referring to the 2015 Policy Address, where will the three emission zones be set up in the end of 2015? 4. According to the 2015 Policy Address, what is the planned ratio for private to public housing?

Do you know the answers to the questions? If yes, please send your answers to Fung Chi Ying Natalie 5G (14) by 17/4/2015.

LSS Newsletter Issue 2 (2014-2015)

Documents

Transcript of LSS Newsletter Issue 2 (2014-2015)