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HONG KONG: Hong Kong leader Donald Tsang insisted on Wednesday that economic development would remain the city's priority, despite fears worsening pollution was damaging its competitiveness.
In his first policy address since winning re-election in March, the chief executive said efforts to save the environment or maintain the city's heritage, another popular movement here, had to take a back seat to continued growth.
"I will insist on promoting economic development as our primary goal. The reason is simple. Without economic prosperity, people cannot make a decent living and all visions are just empty talk," he told legislators.
The city has been blighted in recent years by severe pollution, which some business groups say is harming their ability to attract top managers and compromising Hong Kong's position as an international finance centre.
Hong Kong has also seen increasing public protests against the destruction of several historical landmarks, including the Star Ferry terminal, which have been razed for new development projects.
But Tsang, who noted there had been average annual growth of 7.7 per cent between 2004 and 2006, said his government's focus had to remain on the economy.
"We must not engage in empty talk about ideals, in the vain hope of achieving everything in one go," the 63-year-old said.
Tsang said investment in a string of major infrastructure projects would provide the backbone of economic growth, including a massive road bridge between Hong Kong, Macau and the Chinese city of Zhuhai.
The projects, which also include new underground and train lines, are expected to boost the economy by more than 100 billion Hong Kong dollars a year when finished and create an additional 250,000 additional jobs.
He also said greater attention should be paid to the needs of the poor in the territory, who have often not benefited from the economy's success.
"I will insist that development brings about social harmony, with different strata of people sharing the fruits," he said.
There have been growing concerns here about the widening wealth gap here.
Despite the city's booming economy, more than 20 per cent of the population live in poverty, more than double the number two decades ago.
Tsang was elected in a run-off with a pro-democracy candidate earlier this year, although the voters were limited to a select group of business and mainly pro-Beijing elites.
Although the territory is now part of China, it has a great deal of autonomy in running its affairs under the "One country, two systems" formula. - AFP/ac
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