A Tipping Point After a Turning Point

After passing a turning point last year when the National Security Law restored social order, Hong Kong has now arrived at a tipping point where even more profound changes are taking place. We need to build on our newfound social stability to achieve good governance that will give Hong Kong people hope, happiness, and a future. The electoral reform ought to deliver no less than that.

This is the broad consensus reached by external discussants and OHKF advisors at an online forum hosted by OHKF Chairman Mr C H Tung on his return from the “Two Sessions” in Beijing. As a leading think tank in this part of the world, we are delighted to have organised this high-impact forum which took participants on a deep dive into the implications of the electoral reform. Mr Tung gave a moving speech at the forum which, along with discussants’ comments, drew massive media coverage. You can access it here.

It is rare for senior Central People’s Government officials to pick on specific domestic policy issues in Hong Kong. That was exactly what Senior Vice Premier Han Zheng did when he expressed deep concern over Hong Kong’s housing woes. A welcome move this certainly is. With the preliminary study of Lantau Tomorrow Vision sets to commence in mid-2021, we at OHKF are all set to do what we can to help advance this project.

Indeed at our “INSIGHT FORUM” this month, Chairman of Hopewell Holdings Mr Gordon Wu spoke on “Reclamation: Myth and Miracle”. Also speaking at the forum, HKSAR Government Secretary for Development Mr Michael Wong reminded audience that reclamation is the only way to achieve real increase in land supply. You can view the full webinar here.

At the upcoming “INSIGHT FORUM” scheduled for Thursday, 29 April 2021, Dr Adrian Cheng of New World Development, known for his passion for arts as a force of social betterment, will talk about “Reshaping Hong Kong’s Soft Power through Arts, Business, and Social Inclusion”.

Meanwhile, our public policy research team is relentless in extending our reach. Our research head for Land and Housing Mr Ryan Ip was invited by Malaysia REHDA Institute as an overseas speaker in the webinar on “Sustainable Urban Development & Smart Cities Forum”. Ryan shared his insights on post-Covid sustainable urban development with 100 regional participants from government authorities, construction, urban planning, and property development.

On public health, we are delighted that the Government will table a new Bill in the Legislative Council this year seeking to allow qualified non-locally trained doctors to practise in Hong Kong. The Bill closely aligns with OHKF’s recommendations set out in our 2019 report on medical manpower shortage. Our Healthcare and Ageing research team is spearheading advocacy efforts on this game-changing Bill.

The second book of Hong Kong Chronicles, Hong Kong’s Participation in China’s Reform & Opening-Up, has entered the internal review process for publication by the end of this year. In collaboration with a leading mainland publisher People’s Publishing House, the Simplified Chinese version of the first book Overview & Chronology will be published and distributed nationwide in China. To make this mega cultural treasure accessible to international audience, a Translation Committee comprising renowned scholars including Professor Elizabeth Sinn, Professor Jane Lai, and Professor Veronica Pearson has been set up to kick-start English translation of the Chronicles.

To encourage self-directed learning, the Academy of Chinese Studies (ACS) has launched a new online platform called “Revision Express” in March to help primary and secondary students with their studies. As DSE is approaching, the platform also offers “DSE Liberal Studies Online Exercises”, which has been proven popular among students.

The China Institute for Knowledge (CIK) has registered as an independent non-profit organisation under the OHKF with the Board of Directors led by OHKF Chairman Mr C H Tung, Professor Lee Check-fan as Vice Chairman, and Professor Wong Yuk-shan as Honorary President. This high-powered board will steer CIK towards greater public impact. At the same time, an Academic Advisory Council comprises ten eminent experts and scholars has been established to provide academic advice to the Foundation, the ACS, and the CIK.

Our China Story Online Platform has organised 17 rounds of focus groups, to tap the brain of over 80 representatives from the Government, education sector, youth organisations, and new start-ups on how to dovetail the website content with audience’s online reading behaviour. Stay tuned for exciting content enhancement that would follow.

Eva Cheng
President
Our Hong Kong Foundation