Five Core Strengths of Executive-Led Governance

Xia Baolong, Director of the Central Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office and the State Council's Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office, delivered an important message at a specialized research conference on "Upholding and Improving Executive-Led Governance to Promote Good Governance in Special Administrative Regions," hosted by the National Hong Kong and Macau Research Association.

Director Xia emphasized that the executive-led system has been successfully implemented in the Hong Kong and Macau Special Administrative Regions, demonstrating strong vitality and superiority. He outlined the excellence of executive-led governance across five core areas:

Enhanced Integration and Effective Implementation — Strong coordination system led by the Chief Executive

Seizing Opportunities and Flexible Response — Swift adaptation to changing environments

Concentrated Resources for Major Projects — Maintaining balance among diverse interests

Innovation and Policy Stability — Foundation for sustainable development

Rapid Response and Efficient Handling — Strong execution capability in crisis situations

Northern Metropolis Development: A Case of Integration and Implementation

The Hong Kong SAR Government is currently promoting the Northern Metropolis development with full force. The Northern Metropolis Development Committee, led directly by the Chief Executive, has been established to strengthen top-level design, with three working groups underneath to oversee different matters.

The SAR Government plans to enact dedicated legislation within this year to streamline procedures and relax regulations, thereby accelerating construction and promoting industry attraction. This exemplifies the capacity for rapid decision-making and effective implementation in major strategies.

Proactive Alignment with National Development

In terms of seizing opportunities and flexible response, the SAR Government is proactively aligning with the national "14th Five-Year Plan." The "Steering Group on Integrating into National Development", led by the Chief Executive, provides top-level comprehensive guidance, coordination, and supervision.

Hong Kong is actively exploring ways to consolidate and enhance its status as "Four Centers and One Hub" while integrating innovation, technology, and industrial cooperation elements into the Northern Metropolis plan to deeply and comprehensively capture new development opportunities.

Solving Housing Issues: Resource Concentration and Innovation

In terms of concentrating resources to advance major projects while considering various interests, the "Light Public Housing" project is progressing rapidly.

Last year, six projects totaling approximately 9,500 units were completed and occupied sequentially, with four projects comprising over 4,600 units achieving full occupancy. This year, four more projects totaling approximately 8,820 units are scheduled for sequential occupancy starting from the second quarter.

The "Subdivided Units Ordinance," effective from March 1, addresses the accumulated problem of substandard subdivided units over nearly 20 years. The goal is to eliminate safety hazards and ensure safe, hygienic, and reasonable living environments.

These housing policies demonstrate the SAR Government's efforts to maintain continuity in public housing supply while mobilizing resources to solve housing difficulties through innovative means. The ordinance also legally defines "subdivided units" standards while balancing the concerns of both landlords and tenants.

Crisis Response: The Tai Po Fire Case

In terms of rapid response and efficient handling, the response to the Tai Po Plover Cove fire is a representative example. The SAR Government swiftly established an inter-departmental working group to fully deploy rescue operations, emergency support, and research on long-term settlement solutions.

The "Tai Po Plover Cove Support Fund" was established to provide various subsidies to victims, while simultaneously initiating multiple categories of investigations, institutional reviews, and reforms. At the first meeting of the eighth Legislative Council, the "Motion on Support and Reconstruction Work Following the Tai Po Plover Cove Fire" was submitted and passed.

This fully demonstrates the "master of the house" consciousness and the "primary responsibility person's" sense of responsibility, proving the strong mobilization and execution capabilities of the executive-led system in major crisis situations. It revealed the ability to unite public sentiment, consolidate strength, respond in a concentrated manner, and cooperatively solve problems.

Executive-Led Governance Is Not an Empty Concept [AI Analysis]

The above cases clearly demonstrate that executive-led governance is not an empty concept but a superior system that can be transformed into resolving deep-seated contradictions, responding to emergencies, and promoting social progress.

Whether it's the Northern Metropolis planning for long-term development, housing policies addressing livelihood issues, or post-disaster work responding to sudden calamities, all require a strong SAR Government capable of bold decision-making, resource integration, and effective implementation under the Chief Executive's leadership.

The executive-led system ensures that the SAR Government can govern from a holistic and long-term perspective, preventing situations of endless discussion without decision or decision without implementation. It also maintains unity between continuity and innovation, effectively safeguarding national security and development interests while ensuring the welfare of Hong Kong society as a whole.

Future Outlook [AI Analysis]

Hong Kong is currently at a critical stage of transition "from stability to prosperity." The launch of the national "15th Five-Year Plan" has brought new major opportunities to Hong Kong, and society has high expectations for accelerated development and improved livelihood.

Strengthening the executive-led system holds extremely important significance for enhancing the SAR Government's governance efficiency, promoting good governance, and deepening reform and development. Beyond the executive, legislative, and judicial organs performing their respective duties, fulfilling responsibilities, cooperating, and engaging in positive interaction, all sectors of Hong Kong must unite their hearts and concentrate their efforts.

They should fully support and cooperate with the Chief Executive and the SAR Government in governing according to law and boldly reforming under the executive-led system, focusing on economic development, construction, and improving people's livelihood to make new and greater contributions to the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.