Beijing Says New SAR Government Must Tackle Problems

Beijing authorities said on Sunday that the line-up for the next SAR administration would help Hong Kong integrate nationally and raise the city's profile overseas, but noted that deep-rooted problems, like housing, would have to be tackled as well.

In a statement, Beijing's liaison office congratulated the incoming government officials on their appointments, adding that the line-up was diverse and that it had a global perspective and good management ability.

The office said it looked forward to the new administration solving deep-rooted problems, and meeting public expectations with practical action.

The Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office (HKMAO), meanwhile, described the new cabinet as meritocratic.

It said there were people with international professional qualifications and strong overseas networks, and this would help the administration integrate into the nation's development, while enhancing Hong Kong's status internationally.

The HKMAO added it hoped the incoming leader, John Lee, could tackle the housing problem with clearer targets, greater courage, and stronger action.

In a separate statement, outgoing Chief Executive Carrie Lam said she believed, under the leadership of John Lee, the new team would steadfastly implement the One Country, Two Systems principle, and strive to resolve economic and livelihood issues with perseverance and dedication.

"I am pleased to learn that the Chief Executive-elect has smoothly formed his cabinet and I wish that the new governing team will act in concert to enable Hong Kong to forge ahead towards development and prosperity," she wrote.

Lam also thanked principal officials who had served her over the past five years for their diligence in tackling difficulties and challenges.

Lau Siu-kai, the vice-president of the Chinese Association of Hong Kong and Macau Studies, said even though the new government officials come from all walks of life, he believed it would not be a problem for them to get along and work together.

He explained that there is already a consensus on which policies to press ahead with, and it would only be a matter of getting things done quickly to improve the new team's credibility.

With four incumbent lawmakers - Horace Cheung, Alice Mak, Sun Dong, and Nelson Lam - appointed as government officials under the incoming administration, Lau said it showed that the Legislative Council will become a breeding ground for future politicians.

"With the relationship between the executive and the legislature becoming closer now, Legco is definitely one of the training bases - or even an important training base - for political talent," Lau said.

"Under the circumstances, it is only normal to have lawmakers join the government, because, after all, we have this revolving door system in Hong Kong, where bureaucrats move between roles in the government, the legislature, the business sector, think-tanks, and universities"

Political parties also welcomed the newly appointed officials. The DAB said it hoped the incoming government would focus more on communicating with legislators, so as to build what it called a new type of executive-legislature relationship.

The Business and Professionals Alliance for Hong Kong urged incoming authorities to contain the Covid situation and reopen the border, while the Liberal Party said the government should utilise the SAR's advantages to integrate into the nation's development.

The New People's Party said it believed the John Lee administration could solve deep-seated problems.