MR YIU SI-WING (in Cantonese): President, I rise to speak against the motion on "Vote of no confidence in the Chief Executive" proposed by Mr Andrew WAN and the amendment proposed by Ms Claudia MO. This opposition-sponsored motion stems from the amendments to the Fugitive Offenders Ordinance ("FOO") proposed by the Government. Driven by nothing but their resentment to the controversial amendment proposal, the opposition seizes the opportunity to dismiss out of hand the work undertaken by the Chief Executive in the last two years and undermine the prestige of the SAR Government in governance. Given that such a ploy is typical of the opposition, this no-confidence motion should come as no surprise. Ms Claudia MO asserts in her amendment that the Chief Executive has disregarded the public opinion demanding for withdrawal of the proposed legislative amendment, and that the passage of the proposed amendments will erode Hong Kong's "high degree of autonomy" and freedom. I take exception to that. The proposed amendments to FOO seek to plug the loopholes in law exposed by the CHAN Tong-kai case. The relevant proposed legislative amendments are both legal and constitutional. Moreover, the public reaction on the issue is far from unanimous: there are some lingering doubts and the Government lacks sufficient time to make explanations. In contrast, the opposition has been keen to exploit the opportunity presented by the legislative amendment exercise to mislead the public and complicate the problem, in a bid to polarize the community and fuel public discontent towards the Government on the eve of the District Council elections, thereby reaping benefits in the elections. In evaluating the achievements and effectiveness of the Chief Executive, I think we should look not at one single issue but her overall performance. Besides, the amendment to FOO is a matter of social justice, not a personal problem of the Chief Executive. The SAR Government and the Legislative Council are both duty-bound to expedite the passage of the amendment proposal.

 

President, it is clear that the Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie LAM, has performed well since taking office almost two years ago. Trained as an Administrative Officer, experienced in leading various departments and well versed in the operation of her civil service team, the Chief Executive has a big advantage in leading the civil service to implement policies. Under the leadership of the Chief Executive, the incumbent government team boasts better morale and greater efficiency, outperforming past governments in terms of both efficiency and effectiveness in policy implementation.

 

With the Chief Executive at the helm, the SAR Government has achieved solid outcomes in various aspects of its work. First, she has taken the initiative to go global by proactively cultivating good relations with overseas countries and Mainland cities while participating enthusiastically in the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area ("the Greater Bay Area") and the planning of the Belt and Road Initiative, with a view to raising the international status of Hong Kong and laying a sturdier foundation for Hong Kong to expand Mainland and overseas markets. Second, she has proactively visited various ministries of the Central Authorities in an effort to boost the Central Authorities' confidence in and support for the SAR Government and strive for various policies benefiting Hong Kong. The fruits of the Chief Executive's efforts include tax concessions for talents working in the Greater Bay Area, and over 30 public livelihood services on the Mainland made available for Hong Kong and Macao residents who are holders of Home Visit Permits. Third, she proactively improves people's lot by allocating enormous resources to such areas as education, health care, welfare and technology, winning the approval of not just the general public, but the opposition camp as well. Fourth, she proactively promotes various infrastructure projects and increases land supply for housing with a view to creating more business opportunities for all sectors in Hong Kong and finding ways to resolve the housing difficulty.

 

On improving the relationship between the executive and the legislature, the Chief Executive introduced an additional monthly session of the Chief Executive's Question Time in this Council as soon as she took office, giving responses pragmatically on issues ranging from people's livelihood and politics, to the economy and environmental protection, while carrying out follow-ups properly as pledged. For instance, I asked the Chief Executive in this Council about the ways in which the hygiene problem of public toilets in Hong Kong, particularly those in tourist areas, could be improved. The Chief Executive acknowledged the problem readily and pledged to urge the relevant Policy Bureau to follow up on the matter properly. After the session, the Secretary for Food and Health contacted me immediately with a list, drafted in collaboration with the Tourism Commission, of public toilets in tourist areas of which a first batch of 23 public toilets was singled out for improvement works. It was followed by a provision of $600 million made in this year's Budget for refurbishing works with a view to gradually improving the inferior hardware and software of the public toilets in Hong Kong.

 

Besides, in a bid to improve the relationship with the opposition, the Chief Executive took the initiative of extending an olive branch, including participating in events organized by the opposition and facilitating the implementation of reasonable proposals put forward by them. However, that proves to be wishful thinking on the part of the Chief Executive. The opposition remains unmoved. Some of them have even held attitudes nastier and more outrageous than before, to the antipathy of the public on the sidelines.

 

President, the SAR Government under the leadership of the Chief Executive will have to face numerous difficulties in the future. As well as the FOO amendment exercise that warrants speedy conclusion, the issue concerning the trade war between China and the United States is even more complicated with broader impacts. Recently, the United States has exploited every means and tactic to achieve its hegemonic ambitions by way of targeting even companies, going so far as to mounting an all-out clampdown on Huawei of China, which shook the world. Under such complicated circumstances, Hong Kong, far from remaining impervious, can quickly find itself the target of sanctions. It can only be hoped that the opposition will refrain from the self-serving act of going overseas and lodging complaints with the relevant political dignitaries, lest they play into the hands of American politicos. The SAR Government, on its part, must make proper preparations for the worst, formulating countermeasures in advance to minimize the impacts of the trade war between China and the United States on Hong Kong.

 

President, I so submit.