Hong Kong budget sails through Legco in record time as pro-establishment lawmakers approve HK$120 billion coronavirus aid package
- Electronic vouchers, low-interest loans among measures aimed at relieving financial burden on residents reeling from economic upheaval created by pandemic
- The debate, which saw 40 votes in favour, one against and one abstain, was taken in the absence of nearly the entire opposition camp, members of which stepped down en masse in November
Hong Kong’s legislature on Wednesday passed the administration’s budget in record time, including a HK$120 billion (US$15.4 billion) package that contains electronic vouchers, low-interest loans and a raft of measures aimed at relieving the financial burdens created by the coronavirus pandemic.
With the debate lasting just eight hours, the budget bill was passed with 40 pro-establishment lawmakers voting “yes” and localist Cheng Chung-tai voting “no”. Financial services sector lawmaker Christopher Cheung Wah-fung, who did not support a planned rise in the stamp duty for stock transactions, was the sole abstention.
The bulk of the city’s opposition camp resigned en masse in November after four of their colleagues were disqualified by Beijing, leaving Civic Passion’s Cheng as the only remaining opposition voice in the chamber.
Asked whether lawmakers had adequately discussed the budget, Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po said “there had been communications and discussions with lawmakers during the whole process”, adding he would make sure the measures met the public’s needs.
His annual spending blueprint, unveiled on February 26, included e-vouchers designed to boost consumer spending and low-interest loans for the city’s growing number of jobless.
