Convention Worker, Teacher Call On CE To Ring Changes

Chief Executive John Lee on Saturday held another consultation session with mainly public committee representatives, as he prepares for the ground for his first Policy Address on October 19.

At the two-hour event in the Southern District, Lee was urged to reopen the city's borders, boost land supply, build more transitional housing, as well as do more to attract exceptional talent.

Some participants appealed to Lee to revive the ailing convention industry, by extending subsidies for the sector and moving the Covid treatment centre located at the AsiaWorld-Expo elsewhere.

"Basically Hong Kong does not have enough venues for new exhibitions, while many trade fairs have relocated to other places because the borders are not [fully] open yet," said a man surnamed Cheung. "Hong Kong will lose its reputation as Asia's convention hub sooner or later."

Meanwhile, a teacher asked Lee to bring "big changes" to the education system, saying: "The reason why many Hong Kong students are studying abroad is because they were not happy studying here. Many teachers feel tired and unhappy. Many students are unhappy. Some Primary 2 students have to do homework and revision until 12am."

A secondary school principal also called on Lee to roll out small-class teaching to better cater to the students' needs.

Lee thanked the participants for their views, saying they were candid and down-to-earth.

He said handling housing issues was a top priority and that he hoped to give people a clear explanation of how he planned to solve them.

The CE also said he would consider the opinions raised, by for example looking into how to allow people from different backgrounds to have their say in public administration.

Speaking to reporters after the session, Lee said he was trying to maximise the possibility of resuming social and economic activities, as many had urged him to reopen the city's borders.

"We have to satisfy the two principles — protecting the high-risk group and also ensuring the public health system can function," he said. "If these two factors are well controlled, then there's room for us to allow activities to go about as much as possible. In order to achieve that, everyone has to play their part."

He added that authorities won't have to tighten social distancing rules if everyone cooperates well in tackling the pandemic.