Chief executive falls short on vision

It seems to me that our chief executive has a hard time understanding the concept of a vision. I think of it as the guiding principle for a society's collective goals and actions. I had high hopes when I heard that Leung Chun-ying would focus more on vision than individual pieces of policy, but the title of his address, "Seek Change, Maintain Stability, Serve the People with Pragmatism", was a blow to my enthusiasm.

Pragmatism is a curious choice of word. It may have a more positive connotation in a Chinese context, but here it suggests conservatism, and our people are not necessarily conservative, especially if they are living below the yet-to-be-established poverty line. The first two phrases - change and stability - seem to cancel each other out, and we are stuck with nothing but pragmatism.

This is what Leung has to say about vision: "Hong Kong people are hardworking, tenacious and earnest. We have an enterprising, dedicated and law-abiding spirit. Our civil service is outstanding, efficient and clean. We have an independent judicial system, and excellent law and order. As well as sophisticated transport systems and telecommunica- tions networks, we are also endowed with close and extensive connections with the mainland and abroad. These are the distinct advantages of Hong Kong."

His vision is also amusingly conditional. "As long as we keep focused on development, avoid feuds and strive for results, Hong Kong will be able to sustain its economic growth. As long as we have a proactive government and well-planned industrial policies, people from different backgrounds will have the opportunities to realise their potential, and young people will be able to put their learning to good use. "

Of course, but that does not resolve our concerns.

Dysfunctional politics is no excuse for failure. What we want to know is how Leung is going to stop the "feuds", especially now that they are so plentiful.