Hong Kong’s leaders have unveiled significant measures since the city’s return to Chinese sovereignty in 1997. From housing and development to labour protection and health, they have laid out ambitious plans in their annual policy addresses, creating long-term impacts on residents.
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As Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu prepares to deliver his fourth policy blueprint on Wednesday, the Post takes a look at a few key initiatives rolled out by leaders over the past 28 years that played a major role in shaping life in Hong Kong.
Tung Chee-hwa
Ambitious plan to build 85,000 homes annually
Hong Kong’s first post-handover leader, Tung Chee-hwa, set an ambitious target to build more than 85,000 subsidised and private flats annually in his maiden policy address in 1997, a move intended to cool the red-hot property market as many complained of not being able to buy a home.
But shortly after its introduction, public sentiment changed as the Asian financial crisis sent prices spiralling and pushed many property owners to the brink of bankruptcy, prompting Tung to scrap his target a year after announcing it.
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Expanding mainland partnerships and exchanges
Facing economic headwinds after the Sars outbreak, Tung’s 2003 policy address focused on strengthening ties with mainland China.