Vision of Strong Governance

5. When I talk of “strong governance” I mean a government that operates in strict accordance with the law. The political system established under the Basic Law envisions the Hong Kong SAR to practise “executive-led” government. The Chief Executive is the head of the SAR and leader of the SAR Government. He is responsible for implementing the Basic Law and the other laws of Hong Kong, determining government policies and issuing executive orders, nominating Principal Officials, appointing or removing judges and holders of public office in accordance with statutory procedures, and exercising other important powers and functions. The SAR Government is responsible for exercising the six major powers and functions of formulating and implementing policies, compiling and proposing the Budget and drafting and introducing legislation. The formulation and implementation of policies such as land administration and usage, financial and monetary affairs, civil aviation and shipping, education and technology, culture and sports, public order and social welfare all fall within the ambit of the Executive Authorities. My Administration will faithfully and responsibly exercise all these powers and functions vested in us under the Basic Law.

6. The SAR Government exercises its powers and functions in great transparency and under the watchful eye of the public. To me, a strong government does not work behind closed doors. Rather, it heeds public opinion, adopting the public interest as the guiding principle and accepting wide public participation in policy formulation. A government that operates this way is often characterised as having a clear direction, consistency in policy making, forceful and decisive leadership that is efficient and effective.

7. Strong government hinges on the political skills and the cohesion and co-operation of the governing team. As the Chief Executive, I have to be up to the task of political leadership. My foremost job is to fully grasp Hong Kong’s political landscape. I must adequately understand public sentiment, anticipate future opportunities and challenges, decide on the overall policy direction, enhance the good relationship between the Central Authorities and the SAR, secure the community’s trust and support for the Government, strengthen co-operation with the Legislative Council, and create a political and social environment conducive to effective governance.

8. To allow me to focus on political issues and to enhance institutional and operational efficiency, I will authorise the Chief Secretary for Administration (CS) and the Financial Secretary (FS) to play the important role in policy co-ordination. They will be tasked to ensure government policies are properly staged, public resources are efficiently used, and duplication, inaction and ineffective action are avoided. Our aim is to better deliver on our performance pledges and to raise the community’s trust in the Government.

9. To ensure that the CS and FS can effectively carry out their tasks, I will clearly define their portfolios, and work closely with them. For day-to-day operations, all Secretaries of Bureaux will report to them. The CS and FS will use the Policy Committee, comprising the Secretary for Justice and all Secretaries of Bureaux, as the main platform for policy co-ordination and initial clearance. The Committee will carefully consider all policy proposals before they are submitted to the Chief Executive in Council for deliberation and decision.

10. The Basic Law stipulates 10 powers and functions of the Legislative Council, including the enactment and amendment of laws, and specifies four areas where the SAR Government is accountable to the legislature. In full recognition of the status, powers and functions of the Legislative Council, my colleagues and I will strengthen communication with Honourable Members, let them understand our thinking on policy and legislation as early as possible, listen to their views, and foster co-operation. As long as the Executive Authorities and the Legislative Council exercise their powers and perform their functions as laid down explicitly in the Basic Law, they will complement each other and operate with due checks and balances. The issue of one bypassing the other does not arise. In addition, both the Executive Authorities and the legislature must exercise their powers and functions in a highly transparent manner in Hong Kong. If both follow mainstream public opinion, they should naturally work on a common policy agenda that would form a strong foundation to bring about effective governance, in line with people’s expectations.