HK Chief Executive delivers his first policy address

Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Chief Executive CY Leung began delivering his first policy address on Wednesday morning at the Legislative Council, outlining the city government's policy direction in 2013.

"My team and I have taken expeditious actions to address the most pressing needs of the community," Leung said in the annual policy address entitled "Seek change, maintain stability, serve the people with pragmatism" which was live broadcast for 7.1 million Hong Kong people.

Leung said on the economy, the government has set up preparatory task forces for the establishment of the Economic Development Commission (EDC) and the Financial Services Development Council (FSDC) to identify areas for Hong Kong's further development.

On the housing issue which is of the public's grave concern, Leung said the government has introduced a series of short to medium-term measures while the new Long Term Housing Strategy Steering Committee has started to explore and formulate the long-term housing strategy.

With regard to people's livelihood, the government has re-established the Commission on Poverty and undertaken a variety of initiatives to help the elderly.

"These examples demonstrate the determination of the current-term Government, with the support of our civil servants, to meet public aspirations as promptly as possible," he said.

Leung was elected the third chief executive of the HKSAR in March 2012 and came into office in July the same year. A full term is five years.