Public hotline, megaproject and governance focus of new style Legco dialogue with Lee
Suggestions raised at first ‘rules-free and warm-hearted’ closed-door dialogue session with John Lee under new format
Hong Kong lawmakers have called on city leader John Lee Ka-chiu to revamp the public complaint hotline using Beijing’s AI-assisted model, fast track the Northern Metropolis and strengthen executive-legislative ties during a first-of-its-kind closed-door dialogue.
The session on Tuesday marked the first time the new slate of lawmakers were given the opportunity to exchange questions directly with the chief executive in the Legislative Council since they were sworn into office in January.
They went on summer break two weeks ago without having held a formal question and answer session – a first for a new cohort of lawmakers since the handover in 1997 – as the relationship between the executive and legislative arms continues to evolve.
But Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu emphasised after the private session held in Legco’s dining hall that the new type of exchange would not replace established communication channels.
Social issues were discussed “with warmth and depth”, he said, characterising the meeting as an example of everyone being “on the Hong Kong team” .
Legco president Starry Lee Wai-king said that lawmakers had told Lee that Hong Kong’s 1823 public inquiry and complaint hotline could take reference from Beijing’s one-stop 12345 Citizen Hotline Service Centre, which she and other legislators toured during their unprecedented study trip to the capital last week.