Thread by @harbourtimes

This is our Hong Kong #PolicyAddress2019 thread.
#CarrieLam will begin to deliver the policy address in less than 30 minutes. She’s stated she will focus on housing and land issue, and wants the storm in #HongKong to end.
#HongKongProstests

#CarrieLam plans to announce a HK$2bn subsidy to install electric car parking facilities in private estates. Happy to hear for the environment, but the public is much keener to hear what she has to say about other topics...

news.rthk.hk/rthk/en/compon…

“Five Demands, Not One Less!” Chant pro-democracy members in LegCo hall. After the chanting stops, the camera zooms in on legislators. Some keep to themselves, otbers chat with their neighbours. #PolicyAddress2019 #HongKong

Carrie Lam was disrupted and halted her policy address. Yet to see if she will continue.

Didn’t take long for chaos to unravel in Legco. Maybe they should have gone with the pre-recorded tape option after all. #PolicyAddress2019

Powerful chants in Cantonese and English from pro-democracy lawmakers. “Carrie Lam, STEP DOWN!”

#CarrieLam had to halt the meeting not once but twice!

Pan-dem lawmakers play a soundclip from a speaker of teargas and the screaming of protesters. “These are the voices of people who are screaming...they suffer all this unnecessary and unfair treatment given to them by the police.”

“She’s just a puppet on strings being played by Beijing... conducting the biggest sell-out of Hong Kong.” Claudia Mo speaks.

Stick around – #CarrieLam to deliver #PolicyAddress2019 via video at 12:15PM

Claudia Mo adds that #CarrieLam shouldn’t feel the need to hide behind a camera — not the behaviour of a true governor of the people.
#PolicyAddress2019

watch now! policyaddress.gov.hk/2019/eng/index…

#CarrieLam: "more often than not, they ended up in violent protests... [rioters] doxxed and beat people holding different views, spreading chaos and fear in Hong Kong and seriously disrupting people’s daily lives." No mention of cops' part in the chaos (unsurprisingly).

#CarrieLam reminds that there is NO tolerance for independence advocates. "I believe that so long as we accurately adhere to the principle of “One Country, Two Systems”, we will be able to get out of the impasse."
#PolicyAddress2019

On Housing: regularised the Green Form Subsidised Home Ownership Scheme (GSH) and White Form Secondary Market Scheme (WSM) in hopes of making buying a home more accessible to middle-income families.

also, Special Rates placed on vacant units to discourage flat hoarding

Upping the number of transitional housing projects to provide a total of 10 000 such units within the next three years – these will go to those living in "unpleasant conditions" and those living in public rental housing.

Government to set aside $5bn, up from the $2bn earlier announced for transitional housing, and continue on "youth hostel projects".

On commuting: 3 measures to alleviate transport expenses

1. Increase the fare subsidy rate, subsidy cap raised to $400/month.
2. Reduce costs of using govt tolled tunnels
3. Greener ferries, subsidising more ferry routes

Proposal for the Housing Authority to repurpose its factory estates for public housing use – primarily for public rental housing.

On Land Supply: plans to target 3 types of private land for public housing
- dvlpment potential for 450 hectares of brownfield in New Territories
- private land zoned for high-density housing – no plans yet
- 3 villages for high-density housing
#CarrieLam #PolicyAddress2019

plans "to commence detailed planning and design for the Tung Chung Line Extension, Tuen Mun South Extension and Northern Link in the coming year, so that work on these three railway projects can commence as early as possible."

Development Bureau to release Land Sharing Pilot Scheme details. Appeals to property developers to aid in public housing dvlpment.

"the Lantau Tomorrow Vision is for our citizens and for Hong Kong"
1,000 hectares of land "to build a brand new community for the next generation"
will "explain" to those concerned about environmental destruction that its protection and cost effectiveness "are ensured"

On Improving People's Livelihood: 152 initiatives she's announced in past policy addresses completed or on their way.
Early intervention for special needs, increased service places to achieve "zero waiting time", improvements to after-school care program
#PolicyAddress2019

$2,500 grants for kindergarten to secondary students, to benefit 900,000

to modify 170 public play spaces for children

#PolicyAddress2019

On Public Health: shift from treatment-oriented to prevention-focused

District Health Centres to be set up in all 18 districts

3-year pilot scheme to give treatment to those injured at work in timely manner
#PolicyAddress2019

On Economic Development:
Trade war, protests to blame for slowed economic growth, worst performance since 2009. Putting more money into expanding markets in the Mainland and overseas.
#PolicyAddress2019

In Closing: "So long as we have unwavering confidence, adhere to the “One Country, Two Systems” principle, stop violence in accordance with the law and restore social order as early as possible, Hong Kong will soon be able to emerge from the storm and embrace the rainbow."

Carrie Lam closes press con saying they introduced the #AntiMaskLaw to help parents, teachers and headmasters to help advise students re participating in illegal activities.
#antiELAB #hongkongprotests