Mike Rowse

Opinion | 6 New Year’s resolutions for John Lee as Hong Kong navigates stormy waters

From the economy, exiting Covid-19 and restoring public finances to healing the 2019 rifts, rebuilding tourism and easing rhetoric against foreign provocations, Hong Kong is counting on Lee for a better new year

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Southeast Asian travel trade members take in Hong Kong’s winter cheer at the West Kowloon Cultural District on December 14, as the Tourism Board organises a large-scale familiarisation trip to boost visitor numbers. Photo: Sam Tsang

Mike Rowse

Published: 8:15am, 19 Dec 2022Updated: 8:18am, 19 Dec 2022

Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu has had a very busy first six months in office during which he has performed pretty well. But alas, there can be no rest for him over Christmas as his 2023 plate already looks quite full, even assuming no unforeseen emergencies. Here are some New Year’s resolutions to help him navigate the stormy waters.

Number one, stay laser-focused on the economy. The government has exciting plans to address our many areas of social need, in particular housing and an ageing population. There are also imaginative proposals for the long-term development of our economy.

These will bring great benefits but also incur considerable costs in the short term. Such matters will be more easily handled by a growing economy whereas ours is in a recession likely to run into early next year. We urgently need a quick turnaround.

Number two, ensure all decisions on Covid-19 control measures are taken in full context, not solely on the requirements of combating a single disease. Protecting public health is an important priority but not the only one.

Other considerations need to be brought to bear, not just of the economy but also community morale and the educational and social development of our children. After three years of stringent social controls, and high levels of immunity achieved by vaccination, more weight should be given to these other factors.

Guarding against possible deaths from Covid-19 needs to be balanced against increases in suicides, particularly among the young, or failure to treat other diseases.