行政長官李家超先生今天（19日）發布2022年施政報告，也是本屆政府任內首份施政報告，口號為「為市民謀幸福，為香港謀發展」，提出八個部分及近一百五十個分段，涉及經濟發展及民生措施。新民黨認為報告內容非常豐富全面及高質量，對此高度評價，也感謝行政長官採納本黨的多項建議。
施政報告內容豐富 全面 高質量
行政會議召集人、新民黨主席暨立法會議員葉劉淑儀女士表示：「今天很高興，新民黨見到行政長官發表了一份內容非常豐富、很全面，及高質量的施政報告。首先該報告回應了國家主席在七一發表重要講話時對香港的期望，四個必須與四個希望，強調香港會在一國兩制之下，繼續發揮優勢。」
回應社會訴求
「第二，行政長官也回應了社會上各方面的訴求，包括土地房屋、醫療、安老、青年發展與教育等等。」
措施具開創性
「第三，施政報告很多建議也是開創性的，特別是在開端部分提到的提高治理水平體系與完善『治理體系』，及強化管理功能，包括公務員的管理，都是很有前瞻性。」
「我們也很高興行政長官在北部大都會發展方面，接納我們很多的意見，包括未來會成立『香港投資管理有限公司』，是非常有開創性與突破性，有助政府將來為各項基建發展計劃進行融資。總的來說，我們對最新的施政報告表示高度評價。」
葉太也感謝行政長官採納新民黨的建議，包括北部大都會的發展，吸引優才或專才方面，讓合資格人士可獲寬免置業印花稅。離島訪問九個點，觀察後，大嶼山有很多發展空間，而在施政報告第92段提及，政府「正積極研究發展大嶼山南部約1,000公頃『綠化地帶』土地作生態旅遊或康樂用途」，我們對此表示歡迎。
主動招攬人才 推動經濟動力
新民黨常務副主席暨立法會議員黎棟國先生稱：「我們非常高興行政長官在這次施政報告之中，特別在招攬人才方面著墨很多，也回應了社會上相對主流的意見，去真正有效地『搶人才』。以往特首被動地制定政策，看到哪些行業老闆缺乏人才，才由政府制定相關政策去配合。本屆政府的態度已完全改變，除了有新的政策，而且更會成立『人才服務窗口』，及『引進重點企業辦公室』等，主動出擊招攬人才。」
黎棟國議員認為，香港正面對新的經濟轉型，需要有新的融資與人才。是次施政報告除了招募人才，也有留住人才的措施，他非常高興特首提出一站式服務，使到人才來到香港之後，可以穩定下來，在香港有所發展，以香港為家，最終成為香港永久性居民，對推動未來經濟新引擎非常重要。
推動基層醫療 方向正確
黎棟國議員稱醫療方面，施政報告有新猷，「行政長官提出改變現有重救治的方針，轉到基層醫療方面，照顧市民的長遠健康需要，這可以大大減低前線公立醫院與專科門診的輪候時間，整體而言可應對因人口老化而對醫療需求增加的壓力，走出正確的方向。」
融入國家發展大局
新民黨副主席暨立法會議員容海恩女士表示：「這次的施政報告有願景、有規劃，也有具體可行措施。以往的施政報告比較則重願景或方向性，這次更有具體執行措施，也有清晰的執行時間表，包括建屋期時間縮短，加快程序的百分比等，而每部分也有執行的時間表與路線圖，令市民有信心，也放心，了解可如何跟從施政報告去發展。」
「有關融入國家發展大局，施政報告也有大篇幅提及北部大都會及一國兩制的優勢，報告開端部分也有提及《憲法》對香港的重要性，未來政府會加強宣傳《憲法》，由政務司司長領導的『基本法推廣督導委員會』，將改名為『憲法和基本法推廣督導委員會』，顯示重視加強對『一國』的宣傳。希望藉施政報告可以突顯到一國兩制的優勢，讓香港做到聯通世界的獨特角色。」
「在大灣區建設方面，政府將成立『融入國家發展大局督導組』，由行政長官及三位司長分別擔任組長及副組長。我目前在立法會擔任『促進粵港澳大灣區發展事宜小組委員會』主席，見到大灣區發展是廣大的範疇，涉及文化、創科、安老與教育等多方面。因此看到施政報告提到香港背靠祖國，在大灣區發展的優勢，香港與內地配合，做好各項建設，尤其是北部大都會的發展，並與深圳各口岸連接，包括沙頭角或其他口岸，必須全面發展，發揮香港的優勢。」
「而在北部大都會，除了土地運用，也會設商業及悠閒區，也是過去新民黨一直也有倡議的完善規劃。粵港澳大灣區有國家戰略，在七一慶典，國家主席對香港的重要講話，提及青年的『四業』，令香港積極融入國家發展大局，讓香港鞏固八大中心的角色及國際地位，很高興見到特首在施政報告提及讓香港在大灣區發展給予法律上或其他措施的支援。希望未來除了專業人士或其他行業人士，也可加快實現及抓緊施政報告給予香港各界的機遇。」容海恩議員總結。
支持公務員改革
立法會議員李梓敬先生認為，是次施政報告非常實際有內涵。對於採納新民黨的建議，包括李議員在立法會提出改革公務員制度的動議並獲通過，回應他的建議，提出更新公務員守則、強化賞罰制度、加強培訓、優化動員機制，表示歡迎。李議員估計行政長官看到疫情「第五波」時，應對疫情期間公務員行動的不足，讓日後再次發生大規模疫情時，可加強動員公務員服務的機制。
在土地房屋方面，李議員認為早前國家領導人，包括國家主席習近平先生、夏寶龍主任或駱惠寧主任，對於解決香港房屋問題都有很大期望。他認為施政報告，在公屋輪候時間需要「封頂」，及公屋面積「封底」的措施，顯示特區政府對於解決香港的房屋問題非常有決心。具體措施是發展「簡約公屋」的概念，認為是突破性的思維，除了可幫助居住在「劏房」的市民早日「上樓」，也可保留傳統公屋市民輪候的機制。希望措施可讓眾多基層市民有理想居所。
就私人房屋方面，對於政府降低強拍門檻，他認為是突破性的措施，五十至七十年樓齡舊樓，強拍門檻降至百分之七十；七十年以上樓齡舊樓，門檻降至百分之六十，措施整體可加快土地供應，新民黨對措施表示支持。但李議員指出要留意是否會給予發展商太多權力，議價能力太強，是否影響業主的利益，政府要視乎措施可怎樣有效處理可能涉及的紛爭。
支持鐵路建設
交通方面，施政報告提出將推動多項大型基建，包括新民黨曾提出開通新南北幹道的「沙田繞道」，連接大埔及西九龍，為新界東居民提供更快捷途徑前往市區，並紓緩吐露港公路的交通壓力，未來新民黨會繼續推動各項基建及民生設施的落實。
全面關顧老中青 打造宜居城市
立法會議員陳家珮女士表示，這次施政報告做到習主席在二十大報告所講的「以人民為中心」。她認為最新施政報告非常創新及人性化，照顧社會的老、中、青人士。長者方面，有預防性的基層醫療；中醫藥發展，及加大醫療券的使用範圍，這些都是長者非常需要的服務。
施政報告也有非常大的篇幅，提到青年的發展機遇，包括工作及大灣區融合等。至於兒童或幼童，陳家珮議員關心香港的虐兒問題，因人手及專業化不足，在最新施政報告特首也有提出「保護兒童」的措施，加強巡查及舉報等，避免虐待事件再發生。至於未來香港將加強發展科技，政府將加強「STEAM教育」，在中小學大力推動，陳議員對此表示高興。
陳家珮議員對施政報告提出關注市民精神健康，增加社區支援，另外，「婦女事務委員會」年度撥款將由400萬元增加至1,000萬元，可望增加婦女勞動力。她也樂見施政報告積極發展香港為宜居城市，邁向碳中和，及政府吸納地區意見，發展港鐵南港島延線，及在南區設地區關愛隊試點，地區會努力配合政府各項措施。
New People’s Party’s Response to Policy Address 2022
Chief Executive Mr. John Lee Ka-chiu delivered his maiden Policy Address on October 19th. With the slogan “Charting a Brighter Tomorrow for Hong Kong”, the Policy Address contains eight sections and nearly 150 subsections discussing a range of topics concerning economic development and initiatives to improve livelihood. New People’s Party praises the Policy Address as comprehensive and of high quality, and expresses our thanks to the Chief Executive for adopting many of the Party’s recommendations.
Policy Address’ Comprehensiveness and High Quality
Convenor of the Non-Official Members of the Executive Council, New People’s Party Chair, and Legislative Councillor Hon. Mrs. Regina Ip Lau Suk-yee has made the following response:
“The New People’s Party is pleased to hear the Chief Executive’s comprehensive and high-quality Policy Address. Firstly, the address responded to President Xi Jinping’s address at the meeting celebrating the 25th anniversary of Hong Kong’s return to the Motherland, where he discussed the four ‘expectations’ and four ‘hopes’ for Hong Kong. Under the ‘One Country, Two Systems’ principle, Hong Kong is able to fully display and utilise our unique advantages.”
Responding to Public Demands
“Secondly, the Chief Executive addressed various needs and demands expressed by our society, including land and housing, healthcare, elderly care, youth development, education, and more.”
Ground-breaking Policies
“Furthermore, many of the recommendations in the Policy Address are ground-breaking. In particular, the Policy Address mentions upfront an enhancement of governance and management, within the civil service. All of the suggested measures are visionary.”
“We are delighted that Mr. Lee adopted many of our recommendations regarding the development of the Northern Metropolis. The establishment of the Hong Kong Investment Corporation Limited is highly visionary and ground-breaking, which I believe can allow the government to finance a range of infrastructural developments in the future. To conclude, we highly commend this year’s Policy Address.”
Mrs. Ip is also appreciative of the Chief Executive’s decision to adopt various recommendations proposed by New People’s Party, including development of the Northern Metropolis, strategies to actively pursue and recruit talented individuals, and allowing eligible overseas and mainland talents to apply for a refund of the Buyer's Stamp Duty and the New Residential Stamp Duty paid for the first residential property purchased. After visiting nine different locations in the Islands District, Mrs. Ip is convinced that there is potential for development in Lantau Island. We welcome the proposal in subsection 92 of the Policy Address that the government is “actively studying the development of about 1,000 hectares of the ‘Green Belt’ sites in the southern part of Lantau for eco‑tourism or recreation uses”.
Proactively Trawling for Talent & Giving Impetus to the Economy
Executive Vice Chair, Legislative Councillor Hon. Mr. Lai Tung-kwok comments: “We are glad the Chief Executive made significant progress in the Policy Address in terms of devising measures to attract talents to Hong Kong, while simultaneously addressing some of the more mainstream opinions many Hong Kong citizens have regarding how this city can truly trawl for more talent. Former Chief Executives approach policy passively, only responding to the demand when there is acute shortage. Contrastingly, the current administration takes a distinctively different attitude. In addition to new policies, the establishment of the Talents Service Unit and the Office for Attracting Strategic Enterprises (OASES) is an active and assertive approach in recruiting global talent.”
Mr. Lai asserts that Hong Kong is in need of an economic transformation that requires new talent and investment. The Policy Address not only provides detail on how to trawl for talent, but just as importantly, on how to retain talent. He is glad the Chief Executive plans on establishing a one-stop unit, providing necessary support to talents. Providing incentives for talents to live and work in Hong Kong is crucial for Hong Kong’s economy.
Promoting Primary Healthcare
In regards to healthcare, Mr. Lai states: “We are delighted that Mr. Lee is prioritising primary healthcare to address the long-term medical needs of the Hong Kong population. This can significantly reduce the waiting time for public hospital and specialist medical services. This is certainly the right decision to make that can benefit an increasingly ageing population.”
Integration into National Development
Vice Chair, Legislative Councillor Hon. Ms. Eunice Yung Hoi-yan expresses the following: “This year’s Policy Address is not merely visionary and structured, it also differs from Policy Addresses of the past, as there is emphasis on pragmatism. We now have clear timetables for when each policy will be implemented, and I believe a clear roadmap can reassure the people of Hong Kong in terms of what lies ahead.”
“This Policy Address extensively discusses how Hong Kong can leverage the advantages of ‘One Country, Two Systems’. The Chief Executive stresses the importance of promoting the Constitution and the Basic Law. The renaming of the Basic Law Promotion Steering Committee to the Constitution and the Basic Law Promotion Steering Committee is indicative of the government’s effort to promote the concept of ‘One Country’. I hope that this Policy Address can exemplify the endless opportunities provided by ‘One Country, Two Systems’ and the unique advantages that Hong Kong possesses in connecting with the world.”
“Regarding the development of the Greater Bay Area (GBA), the government will establish a Steering Group on Integration into National Development that will be chaired by the Chief Executive, with three Secretaries of Departments as deputies. As the Chair of the Subcommittee on Promoting Development of the GBA, I notice that the development of the GBA involves a wide range of issues, including cultural, innovation and technology, elderly care, education and many more aspects. Hence, the development of GBA will require the strong support of the Motherland. Hong Kong must closely cooperate with the mainland in various construction projects, particularly in the development of the Northern Metropolis.”
Ms. Yung concludes by saying: “In respect of the Northern Metropolis, the inclusion of commercial and leisure areas is a recommendation made by New People’s Party in the past. President Xi mentioned his hope for Hong Kong to help young people overcome difficulties in education, employment, business start-up, and home purchase. Hong Kong can now more actively integrate into national development while solidifying our status as an international business hub. We are pleased to see Mr. Lee provide legal and other relevant support to the development of GBA, and we hope that a wider population can enjoy the privileges and opportunities presented in this Policy Address.”
Supporting Reforms for the Civil Service
Legislative Councillor Hon. Mr. Dominic Lee Tsz-king calls the Policy Address practical and insightful. He is delighted that the address accepted New People’s Party’s recommendations, including his motion on reforming the civil service system that was ultimately passed. In addition to that, the Address proposed an update to the Civil Service Code, strengthening of the reward and punishment system, enhancing of both civil servant training as well as the existing mobilisation protocol, all of which are positively received by our Party. He believes reformation of the civil service system can allow the government to promptly and effectively manage future epidemics or pandemics.
In regard to land and housing, he states that state leaders, namely President Xi Jinping, Director of the State Council’s Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office Xia Baolong, and Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Luo Huining, all had high expectations for Hong Kong to resolve its housing issues. He thinks the Policy Address’ targets of capping the waiting time for public rental housing (PRH) as well as setting a minimum size for newly-built flats are a testament to the government’s determination in fixing Hong Kong’s housing problems. The introduction of Light Public Housing is a ground-breaking concept, targeted at expediting the move into public housing for families living in subdivided units while maintaining the traditional PRH waiting system. He sincerely hopes that such policies can provide grassroots with an improved living condition.
Another creative policy, according to Hon. Mr. Dominic Lee, is the lowering of the compulsory sale application threshold for private buildings - the threshold for buildings aged 50 to 70 lowered to 70%, whereas threshold will be set at 60% for buildings older than 70 years. While New People’s Party supports this policy as it should effectively compress the time required for land production, he expressed concerns over whether developers will be given excessive bargaining power, which could undermine the interests of flat owners. The government should review how such possible disputes can be effectively managed.
Supporting Railway Projects
The Policy Address announces a number of transport infrastructure projects, including the Shatin bypass that connects Tai Po and Kowloon West - a recommendation made by New People’s Party. This will provide an alternative route connecting New Territories East to the urban areas, while simultaneously alleviating traffic pressure on Tolo Highway. New People’s Party will continue to push for more infrastructure projects that can benefit grassroots and improve livelihoods.
Comprehensive Care for People of All Ages, Building A Liveable City
Legislative Councillor Hon. Ms. Judy Chan Kapui commented that this year’s Policy Address fulfilled President Xi’s “people-centred” philosophy that he spoke of during his 20th National Congress address. Ms. Chan finds the Policy Address both innovative and effective in caring for people of all ages. The proposed prevention-focused primary healthcare system for an ageing population, enhancement in the role of Chinese medicine, and the expansion of medical voucher coverage are all policies that can tremendously benefit the elderly.
The Address also extensively discusses youth development, specifically working opportunities and entrepreneurial support for the youth in GBA. Furthermore, Ms. Chan is particularly concerned about child abuse cases in Hong Kong. To address shortfalls in manpower shortage and lack of professional accreditation, the Address proposes policies for child protection, especially strengthening of law-enforcing inspections in a view to preventing similar events from recurring. Ms. Chan is pleased to see increased efforts to promote STEAM education at primary and secondary school levels.
In addition, Ms. Chan is glad the Policy Address is ramping up efforts to promote mental health awareness, as well as increasing funding for the Women’s Commission from $4 million to $10 million per annum. The government’s further efforts in developing Hong Kong into a liveable city, moving towards carbon neutrality, and setting up Care Teams in the Southern District should be met with close coordination with local districts to ensure seamless and effective deliverance.
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4月10日的立法會大會上，黃英豪議員提出「更積極地管理好政府的非金融資產」議案，指出特區政府財政儲備下降，「預計由2022年逾9,400億港元減少至2024年3月底約為7,300億港元，財政狀況令人擔憂」，因此應該「採取多元化的財政策略，更積極地管理好政府的非金融資產」、「盤活旗下資產的營運利益，以穩定本港財政」；邱達根議員則提出修正議案，指應該「考慮將特區政府現時持股公司或機構的資產撥歸香港投資管理有限公司（港投公司）管理，以提升相關資產的營運與資本效益」。
黃英豪議員在會議上發言，舉出了港鐵私有化的例子，建議特區政府研究水務私有化、把郵政署發展成物流速配中心。邱達根議員則以淡馬錫為例，建議把特區政府有持股的港鐵公司、數碼港、科學園等納入港投公司管理，將之發展成淡馬錫的規模。
很感謝兩位議員提出的建議，我認為值得討論一下，這些建議是否可行？
郵政和水務一樣，都是民生服務，不能為了盈利隨便加價。1995年，政府根據《營運基金條例》（《香港法例》第430章）設立郵政署營運基金（Post Office Trading Fund），注資30億港元，自此香港郵政需自負盈虧。
這些年來，隨着電腦網絡、電子郵件盛行，傳統郵件的郵遞需求持續下跌，加上面對商業物流派遞公司的猛烈競爭，即使香港郵政積極開源節流，增加收費項目，近年仍是虧的多盈的少。根據香港郵政年報，疫情前2018/2019年度錄得2.24億港元營運虧損，疫情後的2022/2023年度，虧損更增至3.05億港元，表現並不理想。
即使如此，香港郵政於2021年向立法會申請撥款，要求注資46億1,130萬元予郵政署營運基金，資助香港郵政空郵中心重建計劃，以應付蓬勃發展的電子商貿行業對跨境電子商貿郵遞服務的需求。新的香港郵政空郵中心預料於2027年落成。記得當時立法會討論撥款申請時，已有議員質疑以公務員運作的香港郵政，服務的快捷度及靈活性，哪能與商業派遞公司媲美。
最近因為DSE文憑試開考但是「監考易」、「報到易」兩大系統都甩轆而「紅」了一把的香港考試及評核局（考評局），是另一個表現不濟，年年虧損的例子。
考評局是根據《香港法例》第261章《香港考試及評核局條例》，於1977年成立為獨立法定機構，財政上自負盈虧。考評局的主要收入來源是考試費，包括文憑試、教師語文能力評核，以及各類國際專業考試等等。不過，由於新高中學制由以往兩個公開試變成一個公開試、文憑試的考生總數每年下跌、每位考生的報考科目減少，加上新冠疫情，連帶其他考試也停辦或減少次數，考評局的收入持續下跌。
考評局自2014/2015年度以來，幾乎年年虧損，2021/2022年度錄得4,170萬元虧損，2022/2023年度則虧損2,300萬元。多年來，考評局已多次向立法會申請撥款注資來維持運作，單是2018年立法會便通過向考評局注資3.6億元。此外，政府連續6年代DSE考生繳交考試費，其實是變相增加對考評局的資助。
水務、郵政及考評的例子反映，不是每個政府部門都適合私有化或公司化，即使部門以商業模式運作，也不見得能如黃議員的議案所說的「盤活旗下資產的營運利益」，反而需要政府反覆注資。那麼，另一條路又如何？政府出售資產是否利多於弊？
由此可見，港投公司是由特區政府主導投資去向，主要目標是投資科技企業落戶香港，推動產業發展，而不是透過海外投資擴大香港的影響力，在投資目標及實際操上均與淡馬錫有本質上的分別。
再者，港投公司手持620億港元，資金規模與淡馬錫相比簡直小巫見大巫；首任行政總裁陳家齊女士在2023年10月才上任，我在1月31日立法會會議上向財經事務及庫務局局長許正宇查詢港投公司的投資進展，得到的回覆只是「港投公司正加大力度推進工作，預計上半年會落實若干投資項目」，即是究竟會作哪些投資仍是未知數。相比已營運50年的淡馬錫，港投公司與嬰兒無異，要做到邱議員所說的淡馬錫規模，談何容易。
自中美兩國於1979年建立外交關係，兩國之間的學術交流合作愈趨頻繁。過往10年，前往美國就學的中國留學生數目由2011/12學年約20萬急升至2019/20學年約37萬；而前往中國留學的美國學生數目高峰時亦有約1.5萬。
但隨着在特朗普2016年上台，美國的對華立場出現重大改變，中美關係轉趨緊張。特朗普在任期間，以保護美國學界的研究成果為由，推出一系列政策窒礙中美學界的正常交流，包括限制「與軍方有聯繫」的研究生及訪問學者入境；要求辦學機構公開與孔子學院或孔子課堂的任何合約、合作關係或資金往來。單是2020年的幾個月內，美方就撤銷了約1000個中國公民的簽證。
特朗普下台後，拜登政府延續強硬的對華政策，繼續維持對中國留學生及訪問學者的入境限制。《華盛頓郵報》上月一篇報道指出，近年有不少中國留學生在入境美國時遇到非常嚴厲的審查。有不少學生指出，美方管制人員輕則會盤問他們、搜查他們的隨身物品，重則會拘留他們，甚至把他們即時驅逐出境。美國學術界受政治壓力驅使，主動減少與中國學界的聯繫。多所美國大學主動終止在內地的課程計劃，或將計劃改在台灣舉辦，所有受當地政府資助的孔子學院亦縮減了中國語文課程的規模。
美方各種不友善舉措大大打擊中國留學生前往深造的意欲。美國國務院轄下教育及文化事務局（Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs）的數據顯示，中國留學生的數目已由2019/20學年高峰的372,532跌至2022/23學年的289,526；而2021/22學年前往中國的美國留學生更只剩下211人！
長遠而言，中美學術交流的斷絕會進一步窒礙兩國的正常交流，對雙方都是弊多於利。下期將展開詳述。
Since the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and the United States in 1979, academic exchanges and cooperation between the two countries have become increasingly frequent. In the past decade, the number of Chinese students studying in the United States increased sharply from about 200,000 in the 2011/12 academic year to about 370,000 in the 2019/20 academic year; while the peak number of American students studying in China was also around 15,000.
However, with the significant change in the US's policy toward China since Trump took office in 2016, relations between China and the US have become more strained. During Trump's term, under the pretext of protecting US academic achievements, a series of policies were introduced to hamper normal exchanges between Chinese and American academia, including restrictions on graduate students and visiting scholars related to the military from entering the country; requiring educational institutions to publicly disclose any contracts, cooperative relationships or financial dealings with Confucius Institutes or Confucius Classrooms. Just in 2020, the US revoked visas of about 1,000 Chinese citizens.
After Trump left office, the Biden administration continued the hardline policy toward China and maintained restrictions on Chinese international students and visiting scholars entering the country. A Washington Post report last month pointed out that in recent years, many Chinese students have encountered very strict inspections when entering the US. Many students said US immigration officials would interrogate them, search their personal belongings, detain them, or even deport them immediately. Under political pressure, the US academic circle proactively reduced contacts with Chinese academia. Many US universities unilaterally terminated courses in China or moved programs to Taiwan. All Confucius Institutes subsidized by the local government also downsized Chinese language courses.
The unfriendly moves by the US greatly dampened Chinese students' willingness to pursue advanced studies abroad. Data from the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs under the US State Department shows that the number of Chinese students has dropped from a peak of 372,532 in the 2019/20 academic year to 289,526 in the 2022/23 academic year; while in the 2021/22 academic year, there were only 211 American students studying in China!
In the long run, the severing of academic exchanges between China and the US will further hinder normal communication between the two countries, which is detrimental to both sides. More details will be discussed in the next issue.
The tireless efforts the government is making to reboot Hong Kong’s economy will be futile if the city’s leaders fail to grasp the challenge of integration within the Greater Bay Area and come up with strategies to turn the challenges into opportunities.
A framework agreement for deepening cooperation between Guangdong province, Hong Kong and Macau was signed on July 1, 2017. Almost seven years on, development in the bay area plan is bringing about profound changes to Hongkongers’ lifestyle and the economy.
Soon after the reopening of mainland China early last year, Hongkongers discovered that cities in the Greater Bay Area have made giant strides in urban planning and the service economy. As a result, they have been flocking to the bay area to spend their consumption dollars.
Between March 28 and April 8, which includes the extended Easter weekend and Ching Ming Festival, a staggering 3.6 million Hong Kong residents went north via land control points, compared to about 860,000 mainland residents who visited Hong Kong.
Other cities in the Greater Bay Area have become Hongkongers’ go-to playground in the same way that mainland residents poured into Hong Kong after the Individual Visit Scheme was launched 21 years ago.
The economic impact of this reversed travel pattern being felt across the Greater Bay Area. Last year, Shenzhen authorities announced that “social consumption and retail spending” rose by 7.8 per cent while its gross domestic product (GDP) grew by 6 per cent, exceeding Hong Kong’s and other first-tier cities on the mainland.
In comparison, tourist arrivals from the mainland that have failed to reach pre-pandemic levels, plus weaker spending, as well as the “leakage” of our consumption dollars to the mainland, means our economic recovery crawled to an anaemic 3.2 per cent last year, from a low base in 2022.
In comparison, tourist arrivals from the mainland that have failed to reach pre-pandemic levels, plus weaker spending, as well as the “leakage” of our consumption dollars to the mainland, means our economic recovery crawled to an anaemic 3.2 per cent last year, from a low base in 2022.
The northbound trend is set to increase as more convenient transport links with the mainland develop as part of the Northern Metropolis project, an ambitious plan to develop Hong Kong’s northern districts into a technology hub that will accommodate 2.5 million people. As that happens, more Hongkongers may well choose to live on the mainland, and commute daily to work in Hong Kong, or simply work in other mainland cities.
A fundamental problem with Greater Bay Area development is that it is far from being a single market, even though integration is one of the objectives of the 2017 framework agreement.
Under the “one country, two systems” arrangement, there is no free movement of people, goods, services and data between the mainland and Hong Kong. As separate custom and immigration areas, both sides have instituted controls that make market integration a slow and difficult process.
In the short term, Hong Kong needs to overcome the asymmetry of movement and spending by urging the central authorities to allow residents of more remote mainland cities to visit, as well as approve multiple-visit permits and increase the duty-free allowance for mainland residents returning from Hong Kong.
In the long term, the government must develop a strategy for mainland cities and Hong Kong to complement each other. Officials must work out how to make use of the abundant resources mainland cities have to offer to remedy our shortages.
As more Hongkongers choose to live in nearby mainland cities, why can’t we build our residential care homes in those cities? Cross-border transport is now far more convenient. After all, our residential care homes depend heavily on the import of workers from Guangdong and Guangxi.
Instead of spending billions to reclaim a small area of land, why don’t we buy good-quality housing that’s readily available in nearby mainland cities, to provide more options for those who live in the northern districts? Now is a good time to buy on the cheap.
We should also take more vigorous measures to phase out hindrances for mainland professionals to work in Hong Kong, bring in more talent and import more mainland labour.
Only by leveraging the mainland’s resources, and combining our strengths with theirs, can we turn the process of Greater Bay Area integration into a win-win formula. The government ought to remould Hong Kong into a metropolis like London or New York, with some of its population dispersing into nearby suburbs.
The Hong Kong diaspora on the mainland will make Hong Kong more influential while relieving the pressure of the cost of living in this city. The government needs to think outside the box and move fast.
如果特區政府未能抓住粵港澳大灣區一體化的機遇制定相關策略，即使政府不斷為重振香港經濟而作出努力，將會是徒勞的。
2017年7月1日，廣東省、香港和澳門簽署了深化合作框架協議。快將七年過去，粵港澳大灣區規劃帶來深遠影響，不僅改變了香港人的生活方式，也改變了經濟環境。
去年年初內地開關不久，香港人就發現粵港澳大灣區內城市，無論在城市規劃和服務業方面已迅速進展。結果，香港人踴往大灣區消費了。
今年3月28日至4月8日期間，包括復活節及清明節長假期周末，有多達360萬香港居民通過陸路口岸北上，來香港的內地居民約有86萬人。
這充分反映香港人越來越喜歡離港到鄰近城市消費購物，享受當地便利的生活設施。香港或已無法滿足消費需求，內地城市的競爭力正不斷增強，吸引香港市民。
特區政府和企業如果不想失去這批消費客源，就必須積極參與和引導粵港澳一體化，做好產業對接，協同發展香港與內地市場。
其他粵港澳大灣區城市已經成為香港人新的休閑場所，就像21年前開放個人遊後內地居民湧進香港一樣。
這種反向旅遊模式帶來的經濟影響正蔓延整個大灣區。去年，深圳官方表示“社會消費和零售開支”增長7.8%，GDP增長6%，超過了香港及其他一線內地城市。
相比之下，來港旅遊人數未能恢復疫情前水平，消費力也較弱，加上香港消費流向內地「漏走」，導致我們的經濟復蘇僅從2022年低位爬升到去年的3.2%。如果香港不想失去這批消費客，必須主動參與大灣區一體化，與內地城市合作開拓市場，推動相關產業發展。否則經濟難實現真正復蘇。
餐館與商店的關閉迫使政府發起「香港夜繽紛」活動來刺激本地消費。但這一下滑趨勢很可能會持續，除非香港餐飲與零售服務能達到粵港澳大灣區的質量標准。
如果將所有責任歸咎於我們的服務供應商，值得說的是宏觀經濟力量在這個下滑趨勢中也起到很大作用。香港幣與美元掛鉤，使香港物價對日本、韓國和內地旅客來說極為昂貴。
我們需要借此機會，檢討自身的服務水平與競爭力，並主動學習粵港澳區域內其他城市在人才培訓、科技應用等領域的優良經驗，跟上時代步伐。只有這樣，香港的旅遊業和經濟才有望持續健康發展。
鑒於港幣實力強勁，香港理應貶值。但薪資水平受勞工短缺影響較通貨膨脹更甚的「粘滯性」，使香港很難實現通縮。盡管商業房租有所下降，但香港高薪和房地產成本使其在價格上競爭力近乎無限。
隨著北部都會區計劃落實，香港北區極其宜居的交通網絡將日益完善，這一規劃將該地區打造成可容納250萬人的科技中心。這使更多香港人可能選擇定居內地，每日通勤至港工作，或直接在內地其他城市工作。北上的趨勢將進一步增強。
粵港澳大灣區發展的一個核心問題是，一體化是2017框架協議的目標之一，但區域內市場分化仍很明顯，遠未真正形成單一市場。
根據「一國兩制」，內地與香港在人員、貨物、服務和數據並沒有自由流動。作為單獨的海關和出入境管理區，雙方設立了管理，使市場一體化變成緩慢艱難的過程。
短期來看，香港需要解決來往和消費不對等問題。這可以建議中央允許更多內地較遙遠城市的居民來港，批出更多「一簽多行」通行證，提高港人赴內消費免稅額度。
長遠來看，政府必須制定內地城市與香港互補發展的戰略，官員應研究如何充分利用內地城市豐富資源彌補香港短板。只有內地與香港在人員、貨物與資金流通等各個層面進行全面聯通，粵港澳大灣區市場一體化才能真正實現，使香港經濟獲得更大活力。
隨著香港人選擇定居鄰近內地城市人數增多，我們為什麼不可以在那些城市建設養老院？跨境交通比以往方便得多，而養老院目前已高度依賴從廣東和廣西輸入護理員。
相比花費數千億進行小範圍的填海造地，不如利用鄰近內地城市豐富的高質量房產資源，提供更多選擇給居住在北區的人，現在正是內地房價低廉的好機會。如此一來不僅可以最大限度優化資源配置，還可以緊密結合大灣區內人才與服務資源。離港的年長香港人也可以享受更優質的安老環境，政府值得重視這個可行性高的優化方案。
我們也應采取更積極的措施，逐步消除內地專業人士來港工作的障礙，吸引更多人才，增加從內地輸入勞工。
唯有利用內地資源，結合我們各自的優勢，才能將粵港澳大灣區一體化進程變成雙贏的局面。政府應該把香港打造成類似倫敦或紐約這樣的都會，部分人口分布在周邊郊區。內地的香港人口會使香港的影響力更大，同時緩解生活成本在本地的壓力，政府需要脫離舊式思維，迅速行動。
如果及早把握大灣區機遇，香港定能在新的發展格局中繼續發揮重要作用。