Anti-Leung attacks futile

The Civil Human Rights Front organized a protest march on Sunday to criticize the Chief Executive's (CE) Policy Address. But, it was no big deal as only about 1,000 people showed up. There have been three encouraging signs since the CE's maiden policy address. Despite differences over the contents of the speech, Hong Kong people have focused overwhelmingly on the economy and quality-of-life issues that can become the cornerstones for building consensus. There has been broad acceptance of the quality of the speech although it focused on development and shunned cash handouts and one-off relief measures. People have taken a pragmatic and rational approach toward the address, which helped to clear up a lot of the confusion caused by over-politicization of basic issues. That's why the opposition has failed to gain popular support and its campaign against the CE has faltered.

People have maintained a realistic attitude toward the speech. Many have expressed their views and offered suggestions through various media and public forums on issues such as housing, poverty and standard working hours. A survey by the Public Opinion Program of the University of Hong Kong found that 77 percent of local residents support Leung's desire to help middle-income and grassroots households become homeowners. More than half of the respondents agree that the theme of the address -- Seek Change, Maintain Stability, Serve the People with Pragmatism - meets public demand. This shows Leung has succeeded in drawing public attention to discussion of the issues that people care about most. It will serve to benefit the formulation and implementation of the policies he envisions.

Members of the public, in general, understand that it's impossible to solve deep-rooted problems overnight and that the government should be given time and space to implement its policies. The opposition, however, is not interested in discussing the Policy Address, and has completely rejected it without even bothering to learn what it's all about. Such indiscriminate anti-Leung mentality runs counter to the public interest and, therefore, can never win popular support.

This is an excerpted translation of a Wen Wei Po editorial published on Jan 28.

(HK Edition 01/29/2013 page1)