Chief Executive John Lee has described his first policy exchange session with Legislative Council members on Tuesday as both warm and substantive, praising the dialogue for fostering mutual understanding and strengthening the groundwork for future consensus.

The roughly 90-minute session saw 67 lawmakers in attendance, with 15 taking the floor to speak.

Speaking to the press afterwards, Lee emphasised that he views the Legislative Council as a key partner in the government's reform agenda, with both sides united in their commitment to resolving public issues.

“This time, the dialogue session between the chief executive and Legislative Council members was another innovative measure, that allows everyone to exchange views in a relaxed environment without constraints of procedural rules,” he said.

Drawing a collaborative analogy, he added: “The chief executive and lawmakers are like members of a Hong Kong team. There are no restrictions on how to discuss issues with warmth and depth.

"It is not only a one on one exchange; we can also discuss issues in depth at the same time as well as each other's mental journey and feelings, which added a human touch and warmth to our communication and exchange."

Lee also said that this format of discussion would be used again in future, though it would not replace existing executive-legislative channels.

He added that he would review the experience to identify areas for improvement.

Meanwhile, Legislative Council President Starry Lee expressed appreciation for the importance the chief executive and the government have placed on executive-legislative relations.

She noted that last week’s Legco study tour to Beijing was highly productive, particularly in deepening lawmakers’ understanding of national affairs.

She stressed that both the nation’s upcoming 15th Five-Year Plan and the SAR’s first five-year plan are closely linked to the daily lives of the public, and pledged the Legislative Council would take a more proactive role in explaining these policies to citizens.

During the Beijing visit, lawmakers observed the "12345" citizen service hotline, with some members expressing interest in learning more about how Hong Kong's "1823" hotline works and exploring ways to further refine and enhance it for better public service.

Looking ahead, Starry Lee affirmed that the Legislative Council would continue to work hand-in-hand with the chief executive and the government to unlock the full potential of the "patriots administering Hong Kong" principle.



Edited by Tony Sabine