15 things to know about John Lee’s Hong Kong policy address 2025 – no pets were harmed Hong Kong leader John Lee Ka-chiu has presented a comprehensive road map for the city as it battles with an economy in the throes of transition, and with time ticking to the end of his term in 2027, leaving him with just two years to deliver on his agenda. Lee spoke for nearly three hours in the Legislative Council on Wednesday, beating last year’s 2½ hours, leaving almost no policy uncommented on. But it did not beat his record in 2023 when he spoke for 202 minutes, or three hours and 22 minutes, setting a precedent among all chief executives. The Post looks at some takeaways from the policy blueprint that are likely to affect Hong Kong’s economy and people’s livelihoods, from speeding up work on the Northern Metropolis megaproject to even building a pet economy. 1.         Tougher scrutiny of senior civil servants After a procurement scandal in which a company was suspected of having used fraudulent documents to win a government contract for bottled water, Lee has rolled out an accountability system for department heads. Under a proposed two-tier investigation system, the department head will be responsible for general incidents and a panel will be set up for widespread or repetitive problems. Possible administrative or disciplinary actions include warnings, reprimands, salary reduction, demotion, compulsory retirement and dismissal. 2.         Go north! Full steam ahead for Northern Metropolis Lee has vowed to take personal charge of the Northern Metropolis and expedite the 30,000 hectare (74,132 acres) megaproject by setting up a new committee that he will chair. The committee will comprise three working groups to study various development models, plan a university hub in the area and manage implementation. The government will streamline administrative procedures for the megaproject as well as introduce dedicated legislation to simplify statutory procedures. 3.         Aiming higher for international financial centre Apart from strengthening the stock and bond markets, Lee has pledged to expedite the building of an international gold trading market by supporting tokenised gold and other new investment products. Other measures include setting up a central clearing system for gold in Hong Kong and inviting the Shanghai Gold Exchange to provide mutual market access. 4.         Bridge for mainland firms to go overseas Hong Kong’s mainland Chinese and overseas offices under different bodies, including InvestHK and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, will organise efforts to assist businesses across the border to expand operations to overseas markets. The Hong Kong Monetary Authority will encourage the banking sector, especially mainland banks, to build regional headquarters in the city to tap into markets in Southeast Asia and the Middle East. 5.         Global push for education hub To make Hong Kong a world-class study destination, the government will increase the non-local undergraduate quota at public universities from 40 to 50 per cent. Education authorities will also promote international recognition of the Diploma of Secondary Education examination and allow semi-private schools under the Direct Subsidy Scheme to enrol more self-funded non-local students. 6.         AI ambitions Lee has pledged to promote artificial intelligence (AI) as a core industry, with the government’s “patient capital” institution continuing to offer investment. The government will also set up an AI efficacy enhancement team to coordinate departments to apply the technology to their work and develop artificial intelligence solutions. https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3325852/15-things-know-about-john-lees-hong-kong-policy-address-2025-no-pets-were-harmed (ICE HONG KONG)

Fonte notizia: South China Morning Post