Chief Executive Addresses Queen Mary Hospital's Lift Issue and Hong Kong's First Five-Year Plan at Media Session Before ExCo

Remarks by CE at media session before ExCo

Following are the remarks by the Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, at a media session before the Executive Council meeting today (September 15):

Reporter: Good morning, Chief Executive. So, regarding the faulty lift installation work at Queen Mary Hospital, why didn't the Government trigger the Heads of Department Accountability System? And do you think that any officials should be held accountable? And how will you ensure that the chief project manager's resignation does not hinder the investigation? And for Hong Kong's First Five-Year Plan, how many indicators will you outline in the document? And what areas will the binding targets cover? Will you set up indicators for key areas such as the Northern Metropolis development and population policy? Thank you.

Chief Executive: Queen Mary Hospital's lifts are not properly functioning. These problems need to be rectified very, very quickly. Medical services are very important, and the new clinical block must be open for service as soon as possible. We will pursue accountability, including that of the contractor, subcontractors, engineering personnel, and professionals. And if there are government personnel involved, we will pursue their accountability as well. We also need to identify where and whether the system has any inadequacies and rectify them. The Development Bureau has given me a preliminary briefing. I have asked them to thoroughly investigate the matter and report within a month. To consider what further action we will do, we must fact-find very clearly what happened and where the inadequacies are, and whether any person should be held accountable. We should pursue their accountability. After we have found out the facts, then we'll decide what further steps we shall take.

In regard to Hong Kong's First Five-Year Plan, which I will make public tomorrow, there will be indicators set in the Five-Year Plan, and there will be indicators which are binding and indicators which are anticipatory. And I think for any government that sets indicators, we consider similar factors. There are things we must do, and they are binding on the Government particularly. And there are things we want to do very much, but we need everybody to participate. While the Government will lead, and the Government will co-ordinate resources and make the right policies, everybody has to play their part in order to achieve the best result.

I want to make it very clear: the Five-Year Plan is not a planned economy. It is a plan which tells us where the strategic directions are, where we are heading, and which are the priority areas. And then it is a blueprint for us to implement in five years' time. So when we roll out policies each year, we also have to ascertain priorities, so that at the end of the five years, we will reach certain goals. Tomorrow, when I make public Hong Kong's First Five-Year Plan, and also announce my Policy Address, people will be able to have the two documents together, look at what the blueprint says, look at what indicators there are, and how the Policy Address will roll out policies to implement that blueprint, and also set indicators, both binding and anticipatory, for all these goals to be achieved.

I know everybody will be very keen on the contents of the two documents. I'll do my best to introduce and explain all the details. I will be introducing it in LegCo (Legislative Council), and then I will hold a press conference in the afternoon. And there will also be a forum for me to talk to the TV media. The next day, there will be another occasion where I'll be talking to the public through a radio forum, and then there will be a LegCo interactive Q&A session. So there will be a lot of opportunities for us to go through the contents of both the Five-Year Plan and also the Policy Address.

(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the remarks.)

The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, met the media before the Executive Council meeting this morning (September 15). Photo shows Mr Lee holding the First Five-Year Plan for Economic and Social Development of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (2026-2030) and the Chief Executive's 2026 Policy Address Highlights to be delivered tomorrow (September 16). Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, met the media before the Executive Council meeting this morning (September 15). Photo shows Mr Lee holding the Chief Executive's 2026 Policy Address to be delivered tomorrow (September 16). Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, met the media before the Executive Council meeting this morning (September 15). Photo shows Mr Lee holding the First Five-Year Plan for Economic and Social Development of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (2026-2030) to be delivered tomorrow (September 16). Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, met the media before the Executive Council meeting this morning (September 15). Photo shows Mr Lee holding the First Five-Year Plan for Economic and Social Development of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (2026-2030) and the Chief Executive's 2026 Policy Address to be delivered tomorrow (September 16). Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, met the media before the Executive Council meeting this morning (September 15). Photo shows Mr Lee holding the First Five-Year Plan for Economic and Social Development of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (2026-2030) and the Chief Executive's 2026 Policy Address to be delivered tomorrow (September 16). Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Speech by FS at Cathay 80 Years Together Dinner

Following is the speech by the Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan, at Cathay 80 Years Together Dinner this evening (September 15):

Guy (Chair of Cathay Group, Mr Guy Bradley), Deputy Director Zhang Yong (Deputy Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region), Deputy Commissioner Li Yongsheng (Deputy Commissioner of the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region), Ronald (Chief Executive Officer of Cathay Group, Mr Ronald Lam), Consuls-General, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,

Good evening.

It is a great pleasure to celebrate Cathay Pacific's 80th anniversary with you. Tonight, we celebrate not only an airline, but a journey that belongs, in a very special way, to Hong Kong.

From Betsy, your pioneering DC-3, to today's global network, Cathay has grown together with Hong Kong. Even your name speaks of ambition: "Pacific" expressed the dream of crossing that vast ocean, long before the airline could do so. That spirit - starting modestly, thinking boldly and looking outwards - is unmistakably Hong Kong.

For generations, Cathay has been part of life's most meaningful journeys: the first trip abroad, departure for university, a business venture and a long-awaited reunion. And for returning travellers, that familiar welcome on board brings a comforting feeling: home is already a little closer.

Of course, your journey had difficult chapters. During the pandemic, the Government's support reflected our determination to safeguard Hong Kong's status as an international aviation hub and our confidence in Cathay's role within it. That was an investment in our shared future. And it was your people - their professionalism, perseverance and dedication - who helped turn confidence into recovery.

Your work matters far beyond air connections. For Hong Kong, every new route is another opening for trade, investment and opportunity. This is our "super connector" role in practice: bringing businesses to markets, and people to one another.

Looking ahead, the National 15th Five-Year Plan explicitly supports Hong Kong in consolidating and enhancing our status as an international aviation hub. We are determined to translate that support into greater capacity, wider reach and lasting economic benefits.

Our Three-Runway System and newly opened Terminal 2 facilities provide more room for growth. The Airport Authority's expanded Airport City development, SKYTOPIA, will further strengthen our airport's appeal - as both a gateway and a destination.

With these developments, the Government is pursuing new air services agreements and expanded traffic rights, particularly with partners in the Middle East, Central Asia, Africa and South America. These efforts will give airlines more opportunities to expand their networks through Hong Kong and strengthen our Belt and Road connections.

Cathay's plan to launch direct flights to Almaty, Kazakhstan, in January 2027 is a welcome example. It will open a new gateway to Central Asia, creating opportunities for business, tourism, cultural exchanges and deeper friendship between our communities.

As the Government opens the way for wider air links, I encourage Cathay to seize these opportunities and add new destinations to your network.

In an uncertain world, we must pursue these opportunities with prudence as well as confidence. The case for bringing people together and opening up new markets is stronger, not weaker.

Cathay's commitment of around HK$150 billion to aircraft, cabins, lounges and digital innovation is a welcome vote of confidence in Hong Kong's future. I look forward to seeing that investment deliver better journeys for passengers, rewarding careers for local talent, and fresh possibilities for our city.

As Hong Kong's home carrier, you are an ambassador for the city. For many visitors, their first impression of Hong Kong begins with your welcome, before they ever see our skyline. Safety without compromise, service with care and respect, onboard dining experience worthy of Hong Kong's reputation, and professionalism in every detail: these are the qualities that earn trust and make Hong Kong proud.

And, ladies and gentlemen, I am sure passengers would be delighted to see one more thing: your excellent service accompanied by equally attractive fares. Guy and Ronald, I shall leave that in your capable hands.

Happy 80th anniversary, Cathay Pacific. May you continue to bring the world closer to Hong Kong, and Hong Kong closer to the world - and wherever you fly, carry the warmth, ambition and spirit of this city with you. Thank you very much.

Speech by FS at Cathay 80 Years Together Dinner Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Speech by FS at Cathay 80 Years Together Dinner Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases