CEDD 立法會上會準備系統

{ "RundownID": 1425937, "HansardID": 8118, "MeetingDate": "2025-10-10T00:00:00", "HansardType": "English", "SectionID": 35, "SectionName": "MEMBERS' MOTION", "SpeakerID": 181, "SpeakerName": "ANDREW LAM", "Speeches": "MR ANDREW LAM (in Cantonese): Thank you, Deputy President. The Policy Address put much emphasis on “education, technology and talents” which also tops the agenda of the current-term Government. I am pleased to see the establishment of the Committee on Education, Technology and Talents, led by the Chief Secretary for Administration, to coordinate and drive the integrated development of these three areas.In fact, various schemes to trawl for talents have achieved remarkable results, far exceeding the expected targets. Hong Kong has leapt to the fourth place globally and the first in Asia in the World Talent Ranking, demonstrating its enduring appeal.Yet behind these impressive figures, we must formulate clearer long-term population policy objectives. Talent policies and education policies have always been inextricably linked. Education not only nurtures our next generation but also shoulders the mission of assisting the existing workforce in transforming to meet future challenges. Without a comprehensive population blueprint, our current investments in education and talent recruitment risk creating a population that moves freely without synergizing to contribute to society.Hong Kong’s ageing population, low birth rate, outflow of core labour force and persistently declining labour force participation rate are indisputable realities. The Government projects that by 2046, those aged 65 and above will constitute 36% of the total population, while the labour force participation rate will gradually decline from the current level of approximately 55% to 52%. Apart from appropriately importing labour, we must face the reality, critically examine the shortcomings of existing policies and effectively utilize and value those who remain capable and willing to work, or those who wish to serve the community.For instance, many of the silver-haired group are willing to continue contributing to society by volunteering, visiting those in need, caring for young children, etc. The Government should make good use of the silver-haired group. It should not merely consider how to release their labour force, but also cherish and leverage the life experience and relatively abundant time of such treasures of society, so as to give back to the community. If necessary, small rewards such as consumption vouchers may be provided, so that when helping others, they do not need to bear the expenses for transport and meals themselves.Deputy President, besides the “priceless silver-haired group”, there is another group in society who are capable but do not wish to continue working. After the pandemic, as the global economy transforms, they have gradually come to accept “being unemployed”. The latest Statistical Highlights published by the Legislative Council points out that despite gradual moderation to more than 16 000 cases in 2024, the number of cases remained nearly 30% higher than the pre-pandemic level of more than 12 000 in 2019. Among them, 75% of unemployed recipients of the Comprehensive Social Security Assistance (“CSSA”) relied on the assistance for over three years, which was an increase of over 10%. Although 15 000 individuals participated in the Employment Support Services, only 12% secured employment or returned to mainstream education for at least one month, while even less than 3% successfully left the CSSA net.According to figures released by the Census and Statistics Department in June this year, there were nearly 50 000 vacancies, a figure which does not include the self-employed, indicating that there are indeed jobs available in the market. To more effectively connect wage earners with employers, the Government needs a big data analytics platform, through which information on jobseekers and vacancies can be consolidated to facilitate matching. By conducting big data analysis through matching, it can identify current labour shortages and future job types required in the market, thereby formulating more effective manpower policies for the future.AI is definitely well-suited for this purpose. The Government has actively promoted smart government over the past few years, and the use of data platforms is no longer novel. For instance, the Social Welfare Department (“SWD”) has in recent years promoted the Carer Support Data Platform which initially connected the data of SWD, the Hospital Authority and the Hong Kong Housing Authority in the first phase. The Policy Address also mentions plans to progressively connect the data of more government departments and public organizations to expand the Carer Support Data Platform.Additionally, two years ago, the Housing Bureau launched “TH-E”, the Central and Unified Platform for Transitional Housing. Applicants only need to input basic information for enquiries about the application progress and result via the platform. Based on the applicants’ choices, the platform will automatically refer the applications to the operating organizations of the relevant projects for follow-up, facilitating and expediting the application process while assisting the Government in data collection, statistics compilation and analysis.These examples represent a significant milestone in encouraging government departments to continue promoting cross-departmental data interchange. As emphasized in the Policy Address, departments must be able to utilize data to reduce costs and eliminate unnecessary administrative procedures. For instance, SWD can extend its data platform to cover cross-departmental data, facilitating applications for various social welfare subsidy schemes. This will prevent those in need from being deterred by cumbersome administrative processes and thus unable to receive assistance. It is believed that using the analysis function of the platform, the Government can achieve more targeted poverty alleviation and save costs effectively.Deputy President, a decade has passed since the Long Term Housing Strategy was announced in 2014, during which Hong Kong society has undergone earth-shaking changes. It is time to conduct a comprehensive review of housing policies. For instance, we need to explore how future housing policies can accommodate the free movement of population and households within the Greater Bay Area.The current-term Government has spared no effort in identifying land for the production of 420 000 housing units over the next decade, with the clear targets of, among others, gradually adjusting the ratio between public rental housing and subsidized sale flats from the current 7:3 to 6:4 and adjusting the ratio between Green Form and White Form in respect of Home Ownership Scheme flats to 1:1. These measures represent the right approach to addressing public aspirations for home ownership.While housing policy adjustments in line with the community’s expectation are certainly worthy of recognition, the public also requires specific policy objectives. The purpose of a housing policy vision is not to offer false hopes, but to enable the public (especially young people) to know how to plan for themselves. The clearer the vision, the fewer their worries, and the more assured their strides forward.The average living space per person in Hong Kong stands at a mere 172 sq ft, lagging significantly behind neighbouring regions. Encouraging the younger generation to give birth to children in such cramped living conditions is indeed challenging. This is not merely a housing issue but a demographic problem crucial to Hong Kong’s sustainable development in future.Therefore, the future housing policies must focus not only on the number of units but also on the quality of living. The Northern Metropolis development is expected to improve the average living space per person, though the extent will be limited. The final report of the “Hong Kong 2030+” indicated that the average living space per person would be 215 to 237 sq ft. Achieving this target requires the orderly completion of major projects, including the Northern Metropolis and the Kau Yi Chau Artificial Islands. Should we seek further improvements in the average living space per person, we must continue to identify land for housing development on the current basis. Land, housing and development are interlinked. We must step up efforts in increasing land supply so as to provide sufficient impetus for the overall development.With these remarks, Deputy President, I support the Motion of Thanks.", "SeqNum": 34, "HansardFileURL": "https://www.legco.gov.hk/yr2025/english/counmtg/hansard/cm20251010-translate-e.pdf#nameddest=SP_MB_LSLA_00034" }