HK’s Tsang says growth is city’s priority

In his first policy address since winning re-election in March, the chief executive said improving the city’s environment or maintaining its heritage — another campaign popular among activists — had to take a back seat.

“I will insist on promoting economic development as our primary goal,” he told legislators.

“The reason is simple. Without economic prosperity, people cannot make a decent living and all visions are just empty talk.”

The city has been blighted in recent years by severe pollution, which some business groups say is harming their ability to attract senior managers and compromising Hong Kong’s position as an international finance center.

While Tsang, sporting his trademark bow-tie, conceded Hong Kong should “do our part to improve the regional environment,” he made limited commitments.

He promised to reduce energy intensity — energy consumed per unit of gross domestic product — by 25 percent by 2030 and submit to a government carbon audit to “set an example” to the business community.

A levy on plastic bags will also be introduced alongside measures to reduce sulphur emissions.

Hong Kong has also seen increasing public protests against the destruction of several historic landmarks for new developments, including the Star Ferry terminal.

Tsang said the government should aim to ensure that such buildings would be re-used, rather than simply torn down.

He made no firm promises on bringing in full voting rights, guaranteed in the “Basic Law” introduced when this territory in southern China was returned to Beijing by former colonial power Britain in 1997.

A controversial three-month consultation on democracy ended Wednesday, and Tsang said he would study its findings before making his recommendation to the Chinese government.

“(Hong Kong people) are well aware that implementing the universal suffrage is a complicated social exercise (that) will have far-reaching implications on Hong Kong’s long-term stability and prosperity,” he said.

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