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| No.5 October, 2011 |
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CE tackles key issues in final Policy Address
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 Chief Executive Donald Tsang has tackled some of the city's most pressing concerns in his final Policy Address on 12 October 2011.
Providing affordable housing, helping the elderly, enhancing competitiveness and improving living standards were among the main issues addressed in his annual policy blueprint entitled "From Strength to Strength".
To help low-income families to buy a home, Mr Tsang announced the resumption of the Home Ownership Scheme (HOS).
The Government plans to provide more than 17,000 HOS flats over four years from 2016-17 onwards, with a production rate of between 2,500 to 6,500 flats a year. The first batch of flats is expected to be ready for pre-sale in 2014 or 2015.
 Mr Tsang also announced enhancements to the My Home Purchase Plan, which was announced last year to provide "no frills" small and medium flats.
To ensure an adequate supply of small and medium flats, the Chief Executive said the Government would continue to sell sites with flat size restrictions and develop new land.
Bolstering senior care
On Hong Kong's ageing population, Mr Tsang said the Government would continue to ensure adequate elderly care facilities and services.
He proposed introducing a supplement for Comprehensive Social Security Assistance recipients aged 60 or above who occupy non-subsidised residential care places to ease their financial burden.
A concessionary public transport fare of HK$2 for the elderly and disabled people was proposed, and a swimming pool concession ticket scheme to encourage more elderly people to swim regularly.
Raising living standards
Mr Tsang also said the Government was exploring ways to further raise living standards including the feasibility of introducing standard working hours and providing paid paternity leave to promote family-friendly working practices.
To improve air quality, the Chief Executive said the Government would introduce additional requirements and incentives for bus companies to switch to zero-emission buses or the most environment-friendly buses when replacing old diesel vehicles.
Seizing opportunities
On economic development, Mr Tsang said it was important to maintain Hong Kong's competitiveness by seizing opportunities both in the Mainland and globally.
The Chief Executive proposed setting up a dedicated fund of HK$1 billion to support Hong Kong enterprises to promote domestic sales in the Mainland and encourage them to develop high value-added products and build brands by leveraging Hong Kong's strengths in design.
 Research boost
To further boost Hong Kong's competitiveness, Mr Tsang proposed injecting HK$5 billion into the Research Endowment Fund. Of this, HK$3 billion will fund self-financing tertiary institutions on a competitive basis to enhance academic and research development. The investment income of the remaining HK$2 billion will provide stable research funding for UGC-funded institutions.
Core values upheld
Mr Tsang urged Hong Kong people to believe in their own ability to take the city's economic and social development to the next level.
"Our forebears from diverse origins came to this tiny island simply to earn a living and build their homes," Mr Tsang said.
"They worked hard through the years and, without realising it, created a unique city with its own character.
"We cherish freedom, respect the rule of law, and treasure equality, justice, integrity, pluralism and inclusiveness.
"These are the core values of Hong Kong."
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