Housing policy tops the agenda of the current-term Government. As the policy bureau responsible for land use planning, the Development Bureau has to deal with one of the most difficult parts of the problem - identifying land for development. The community is now well aware of the severe shortage of land for housing, commerce, industrial use, and community facilities in Hong Kong after discussions over the issue in the past few years. The public is also aware that the shortage was a result of the slow-paced land development over the past decade. Nonetheless, land shortage is a chronic problem and could not be solved in the blink of an eye. While the current-term Government’s determination and efforts to increase land supply are widely recognised, we must continue the uphill battle to make up for the lagging behind in land development and build up a land reserve for future……

As members of the new term of the Legislative Council (LegCo) will be sworn in, I, together with my team, have taken the initiative to meet our legislators and brief them on the work of the Development Bureau. While the Government and the legislators play different roles, I believe we share a common goal – improving the livelihood of the community and promoting the development of our economy. As the saying goes, “New brooms sweep clean”. I look forward to a refreshed relationship between the executive and the legislative branches. I also believe that LegCo members will offer timely, valuable and constructive views based on their social sense and community experience, thus helping the Government to create a better future for Hong Kong by working together and jointly devising the right strategies……

Last Thursday, I visited Kowloon City District with several colleagues of the Development Bureau and exchanged views with the District Council members on the development in the district. The Kai Tak Development (KTD) is not only the largest development project in the district but also a rare and precious one in the urban area. It is undoubtedly one of our people’s focal points. We visited the Hong Kong Sheng Kung Hui (HKSKH) Kowloon City Children and Youth Integrated Service Centre at the Ching Long Shopping Centre, and chatted with the children there to learn more about their daily needs and their expectations of community facilities……

When travelling on Fanling Highway near Kau Lung Hang, have you noticed the large-scale bridgeworks under active construction at the road side? These bridges are in fact part of the Liantang/Heung Yuen Wai Boundary Control Point (LT/HYW BCP) project. The LT/HYW BCP will be the seventh land-based BCP between Hong Kong and Shenzhen. At present, there are two land-based BCPs at Man Kam To and Sha Tau Kok on the eastern side of Hong Kong. Owing to geographical constraints, however, these two BCPs have little room for further expansion. Situated between Man Kam To and Sha Tau Kok, the LT/HYW BCP will make up for the inadequacies……

During the 2016 Legislative Council Election earlier on, some candidates made the “post-2047” topic a theme of campaign, with land lease extension after 2047 being one of the issues. However, I noticed some misconceptions and fallacies in public discussions over this topic. Allow me to explain......