Businesses told to stop dwelling on past and deal with change

Wallis Wang

Businesses need to stop dwelling on the past and focus on improving as it is “unrealistic” to prevent Hongkongers from spending money across the border, says Chief Executive John Lee.

Speaking on radio, Lee said it is normal for consumers to flow to a more competitive market and that Hong Kong’s consumption has undergone a “structural change” rather than a temporary shift.

He admitted that the current retail market situation in Hong Kong is not ideal, but different sectors of society must adapt with the help of government support for small and medium-sized enterprises.

”No matter how [much] we encourage tourists to visit the city, there [has been] a structural change in their habits. We should acknowledge it instead of dwelling on the past,” Lee said. “It is also unrealistic to prevent Hongkongers from traveling to the mainland or overseas as Hong Kong is an open society with a flexible market. It is the market operators who have to make changes.”

Every business should reform for improvement and the government will offer assistance with the goal of shortening the transitional period, Lee added.

He also said the city should boost the economy pragmatically and consider various factors when launching night activities. Lee added: “While hosting activities at night we should also consider the environment, such as not causing too much noise.”

Speaking at the Legislative Council, Lee said he was hoping for good news regarding discussions with mainland authorities to resume the issuance of “multiple-entry” endorsements for Shenzhen residents.

The government has set up various committees and working groups to improve the coordination mechanism but that does not mean government bureaus can shirk their responsibilities.

”A bureau should not forget its own responsibility because a committee also shares the task. Accountability is important,” Lee said.

Meanwhile, the State Council’s Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office published an article highlighting the “rich content and enthusiastic response” to Lee’s third policy address, reflecting the administration’s determination to reform and benefit the public.

wallis.wang@singtaonewscorp.com