CE expresses sorrow over passing of former Vice Premier Liu Yandong
The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, today (October 28) expressed his profound sorrow over the passing of former Vice Premier Liu Yandong.
The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee. Photo source: reference image
"Former Vice Premier Liu was an outstanding leader in the country's work on education, science and technology, medical and health, as well as women and children's affairs. She served as a member of the Preparatory Committee of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region under the National People's Congress and deputy leader of the Central Coordination Group for Hong Kong and Macao Affairs, and had always cared for and supported the long-term stability and prosperity of Hong Kong.
"Former Vice Premier Liu had visited Hong Kong on multiple occasions in her different positions, reaching out to people from different sectors and fully demonstrating her care for Hong Kong and its people. She had officiated at the opening ceremony of the 5th East Asian Games and met with presidents of a number of Hong Kong universities and young people. I am sincerely grateful for her contributions to promoting the development of Hong Kong in such areas as education, economy and sports.
"I am profoundly saddened by the passing of former Vice Premier Liu. On behalf of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, I extend my heartfelt condolences to her family." said Mr Lee.
Former Vice Premier Liu Yandong. Photo source: Xinhua News
Statement by ExCo Non-official Members
The following is issued on behalf of the Executive Council Secretariat:
Non-official Members of the Executive Council (ExCo Non-official Members) today (October 29) issued the following statement on the Government's follow-up work in relation to the fire at Wang Fuk Court:
The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government today released the report of the Independent Committee in relation to the fire at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po. The Chief Executive and Principal Officials also held a press conference to give an account of relevant matters to the public. ExCo Non-official Members expressed full support for the Government in facing up to the problems, shouldering responsibility, and pursuing comprehensive reforms.
The Convenor of ExCo Non-official Members, Mrs Regina Ip, said, "The Chief Executive and Principal Officials have clearly explained to the public the Government's follow-up work, and, on behalf of the HKSAR Government, apologised to the residents of Wang Fuk Court and the community, demonstrating sincerity and political commitment. The Chief Executive also called on his team to continue to give their utmost in their respective positions in pressing ahead with various reforms and the extensive work ahead, while drawing lessons from the incident and better exercising leadership to step up the implementation of the result-oriented governing approach. I support this position."
"The Government's plans to implement comprehensive reform on the basis of the Independent Committee's report are comprehensive and pragmatic, addressing the crux of the issues. I concur with the seven major directions of systemic reform put forward by the Government. These include combatting bid-rigging in building maintenance and renovation projects, establishing a cross-departmental task force to combat crimes related to bid-rigging in such projects, establishing a Building Maintenance Support and Services Council, reforming the operation and regulatory system for building maintenance and renovation, reforming the structure of the Buildings Department, establishing a centralised data system and reforming the complaint mechanism, and establishing a steering committee chaired by the Chief Secretary for Administration to follow up on the Independent Committee's recommendations."
As regards accountability, the Government has demonstrated its determination to pursue responsibility comprehensively and enforce accountability at various levels. On criminal liability, law enforcement authorities have successively instituted prosecutions against the companies and individuals involved in the incident. The Government has also initiated the Administrative Responsibility Two-tier Investigation Mechanism under the Heads of Department Accountability System, and is strictly following up on the administrative responsibility of the civil servants concerned. As for political accountability, the Chief Executive, having considered a wide range of factors, decided that the Secretary for Housing should take political accountability, and has accepted the Secretary's resignation.
The fire at Wang Fuk Court has exposed a number of long-standing inadequacies at different systemic levels, and the issues involved are complex and intertwined. Properly addressing these issues requires firm resolve as well as precise and decisive decision-making. ExCo Non-official Members will give their full support to the Government in taking forward comprehensive reforms and will continue to fully support its governance. ExCo Non-official Members firmly believe that, as long as society works together with dedication to turn grief into the strength to move forward, learns from the experience, and thoroughly implements systemic reforms, similar incidents can certainly be prevented, making Hong Kong a safer and better home.
