appConfigEntityId

bodyType

customContents

entityId

entityUuid

isVideo

articlePageQuery

article

articleSchemaContent

content

hooksArticlePageAdvertisementConfigArticle

hooksArticlePageFloatingButtonConfigArticle

appConfig

filter

json

liveArticle

Matthew Cheng

Hong Kong lawmakers have called on city leader John Lee Ka-chiu to revamp the public complaint hotline using Beijing’s AI-assisted model, fast track the Northern Metropolis and strengthen executive-legislative ties during a first-of-its-kind closed-door dialogue.
The session on Tuesday marked the first time the new slate of lawmakers were given the opportunity to exchange questions directly with the chief executive in the Legislative Council since they were sworn into office in January.
They went on summer break two weeks ago without having held a formal question and answer session – a first for a new cohort of lawmakers since the handover in 1997 – as the relationship between the executive and legislative arms continues to evolve.
But Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu emphasised after the private session held in Legco’s dining hall that the new type of exchange would not replace established communication channels.
Social issues were discussed “with warmth and depth”, he said, characterising the meeting as an example of everyone being “on the Hong Kong team” .
Legco president Starry Lee Wai-king said that lawmakers had told Lee that Hong Kong’s 1823 public inquiry and complaint hotline could take reference from Beijing’s one-stop 12345 Citizen Hotline Service Centre, which she and other legislators toured during their unprecedented study trip to the capital last week.
“Lawmakers proposed visiting the 1823 centre in Hong Kong and studying how to improve it to better serve residents,” she said.
“The chief executive acknowledged and agreed with our proposal and expected us to put forward concrete suggestions to enhance the operation of 1823.”
Hong Kong’s hotline, provided by the Digital Policy Office, primarily refers complaints to the relevant departments for follow-up, whereas Beijing’s service uses big data and artificial intelligence to dynamically route responses to authorities with time frames set for resolving issues.
The South China Morning Post learned that Lee also pledged during the session to advance cross-border data flows with dedicated laws for the 30,000-hectare (74,132-acre) Northern Metropolis megaproject near the city’s border with Shenzhen.
Legislators also called for improved communication with the government, pointing to several policies implemented without consultation, including the reform of public healthcare fees and the abolition of a HK$2,500 (US$318) student grant.
Lee responded that he recognised different officials had different working styles and stressed that he valued exchanges with the legislature.
Sources also said he indicated he would hold more dialogue sessions in the future if the inaugural meeting was well received.
Sixty-seven lawmakers, out of 89 currently serving in the Legislative Council, took part in the 90-minute meeting, with 15 of them addressing Lee.
The city leader stressed to the media that the new type of exchange would not replace established communication channels.
“[The session] is a groundbreaking initiative that allows us to communicate in a relaxed environment free from the constraints of Legco’s Rules of Procedure,” he said.
“The set-up of the dialogue session is intended to further enhance mutual understanding between the chief executive and lawmakers … [We aim] to narrow the distance between us and strengthen the executive-legislative consensus.
He added that he viewed Legco as “a partner in the government’s reform efforts”.
The session was also attended by Chief Secretary Eric Chan Kwok-ki, Secretary for Justice Paul Lam Ting-kwok and Deputy Financial Secretary Michael Wong Wai-lun.

Lee held two question and answer sessions with Legco last year, meeting them in September after delivering his annual policy address.
He spoke at the oath-taking ceremony for the current batch of lawmakers and at their inaugural meeting in January, a first for a chief executive.
Question and answer sessions were the main form of formal exchanges between the executive and legislature in the past. Lee’s predecessor, Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor, attended 36 sessions over her five-year term, averaging 7.2 annually.
Sessions are broadcast live and transcribed into an official record, generally taking place once a quarter.
In 2022, the city leader introduced new engagement channels, including ante chamber exchange sessions, to facilitate regular closed-door meetings between top officials and lawmakers.
In 2023, along with adopting what was seen as a more flexible approach, Lee also revamped the question and answer session to a new form of an “interactive and consultative” one, which allowed two-way discussions on important policies.
Months later in his annual policy address, Lee set a key performance indicator to attend at least four question and answer sessions each year.
The KPI was not included in subsequent policy addresses. Lee attended four Q&A sessions in 2023, three in 2024 and two last year.
Lau Siu-kai, a consultant for the semi-official Chinese Association of Hong Kong and Macau Studies think tank, said that while the city leader was exploring a new dialogue format to foster mutual trust with lawmakers under the “patriots ruling Hong Kong” principle, the public-facing question and answer sessions should be maintained.
“Various communication models shouldn’t be mutually exclusive,” he said. “It’s still important for lawmakers to be seen as holding the executive branch accountable, while promoting trust needed to cooperate on resolving social problems.”
The city leader also gave an update on the progress of the government’s offer to buy back flats destroyed in the deadly inferno that broke out at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po in November last year.
He said 90.8 per cent of households had signed the letter accepting the offer, while 53 per cent had completed the signing of the sale and purchase agreement.
“We appeal to the affected households to make their decisions as soon as possible, so that everyone can return to normal life soon,” Lee said.
“Those who act sooner will have a better chance of applying for the long-term housing units they prefer.”
Owners have until August 31 to submit the acceptance letters. Those who indicated an intention to sell by June 30 were eligible for priority flat selection under a special sales programme.
The blaze claimed 168 lives and displaced nearly 5,000 residents.
Additional reporting by Natalie Wong


Hong Kong’s 5-year plan, policy continuity offer investors more stability, experts say

14 key takeaways from John Lee’s policy address, Hong Kong’s first 5-year plan

Hong Kong’s first five-year plan seeks to boost innovation

Top Chinese official leads 87-member committee for Tung Chee-hwa state funeral

Hong Kong politics

Public hotline, megaproject and governance focus of new style Legco dialogue with Lee

Hong Kong’s Starry Lee (left) and her fellow lawmakers visit the 12345 Citizen Hotline Service Centre in Beijing during their study trip. Photo: Handout

Chief Executive John Lee has said he will draw on the experience of the inaugural meeting to refine the practice. Photo: Jonathan Wong

Legco president Starry Lee and Chief Executive John Lee leave the session. Photo: Jonathan Wong

The Legislative Council Complex in Tamar. Photo: Jelly Tse

Lawmakers return from historic Beijing trip with insights on Hong Kong’s 5-year plan

Xia Baolong, director of the Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office, meets lawmakers in the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. Photo: Handout

Legco president Starry Lee and members of the delegation attend the meeting with Xia Baolong. Photo: Handout

Hong Kong’s first-time lawmakers ask fewer questions but attend Legco more often

Chief Executive John Lee address the eighth Legislative Council during its first meeting on January 14. Photo: Karma Lo

Lawmaker Alan Chan submitted just one question — the lowest overall – on the hotel industry’s reception capacity. Photo: Eugene Lee

Legco newcomer Vivian Kong, who represents the tourism sector, raised only two questions. Photo: Eugene Lee

News

Hong Kong

Politics

Suggestions raised at first ‘rules-free and warm-hearted’ closed-door dialogue session with John Lee under new format


Suggestions raised at first ‘rules-free and warm-hearted’ closed-door dialogue session with John Lee under new format.


Legislative Council of Hong Kong (Legco)

John Lee

Hong Kong society

China

Public hotline, megaproject and governance focus of new style Legco dialogue with Lee

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Suggestions raised at first ‘rules-free and warm-hearted’ closed-door dialogue session with John Lee under new format

Suggestions raised at first ‘rules-free and warm-hearted’ closed-door dialogue session with John Lee under new format