Opinion | Hong Kong leader John Lee deserves a B+ for his first year, but many challenges lie ahead

Over the weekend, Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu marked his first year in office. It is time for his annual report card. In my view, he has performed well over the past 12 months: I can recall several clear successes, and only one area where I think he could have done better. Let us review his performance and also take a look at the key issues confronting him in the next few months.

First, he has the unique achievement of dealing smoothly with two civil service pay awards inside a year, after his predecessor declined to act on the 2022 proposal during her term. Within days of taking office, Lee nailed the first. He has now dealt with the second, also without drama.

Another clear success is the steady unwinding of Covid-19 controls. Nine months into his term, all the restrictions were gone, including the stifling mask mandate. Lee also launched a much-needed programme to revive the tourism industry. Though clumsily named, it is starting to produce results to the extent that the restoration of flights has hit manpower constraints. Resources were also found for another round of consumer spending vouchers to boost public morale and the local retail market.

As the first year drew to a close, the government appointed a supremo to drive forward development of the Northern Metropolis. Better late than never.

The one area where I think he could have done better concerns drawing a line under the social disturbances of 2019. To this day, it is unclear whether the police has made a decision on the 6,000 people who were arrested but not charged back then.