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A. Introduction
1. I now deliver my Policy Address
for 2004. 2. Over the
past year, the people of Hong Kong have experienced a
severe trial. My colleagues and I in the Special Administrative
Region Government have learnt a painful lesson. After
much soul searching, we have adopted various measures
to get closer to the community and respond more vigorously
to the aspirations of the people. In the coming year we
are determined to continue improving our governance to
gain the trust and support of the community, and we will
take concrete action to promote people-based governance.
3. With the community's concerted
efforts, we overcame the outbreak of Severe Acute Respiratory
Syndrome (SARS) last year. However, the disease infected
more than 1 700 people and claimed 299 lives. Drawing
on the lessons we learnt, the Government has improved
the alert and response system to help prevent, identify
and control future outbreaks. In particular, we have
ensured that frontline medical staff have all the necessary
personal protection equipment they need. We all know
that the risk of a possible resurgence of SARS still
exists. The important tasks ahead of us are to maintain
a high level of vigilance, to ensure good personal and
environmental hygiene and to stem the disease at source.
4. After the difficulties of the past
few years, our economy is clearly beginning to recover.
The hard work of the people and the economic development
strategy plus various measures adopted by the Government
are gradually producing results. In these circumstances,
what is most needed is to push ahead with work already
planned in a pragmatic manner, to ensure that the good
momentum built up in the recovery is sustained. Thus,
the theme of my address today is to work with everybody
in the broad direction accepted by the community to
continue with economic restructuring and revival, and
while allowing the community to take a respite and build
up its strength, to promote comprehensive community
development, to get close to the people, to improve
governance and to properly plan political arrangements
for the future. |
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