Chief Executive Donald Tsang Yam-kuen's final policy address was filled with measures aimed at easing Hongkongers' discontent over issues such as housing, the problems of the elderly and the wealth gap.
But political analysts were unimpressed by Tsang's efforts to alleviate grievances and bridge class divisions, saying he also needed to address political issues.
Ma Ngok, a Chinese University professor of politics, said the view that unhappiness related only to housing and old age was simplistic.
'People are also dissatisfied with political reform, the government's attitude to public opinion, and a widening wealth gap. The policy address says little on these aspects,' Ma said.
Ivan Choy Chi- keung, a political scientist at the same university, criticised the U-turn on building subsidised homes for sale.
'Tsang had said repeatedly that the government would not do this,' he said. 'The move gives an impression that he bowed to pressure from Vice-Premier Li Keqiang and director of the Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office Wang Guangya , who told him to pay attention to social grievances stemming from housing needs.'
