Starry Lee hails Beijing study tour as a success

Legislative Council president Starry Lee has hailed the week-long study tour to Beijing as highly productive, describing it as a valuable opportunity for lawmakers to deepen their understanding of national development.

Speaking on the delegation’s return to Hong Kong on Saturday, she confirmed that members would share their key takeaways from the visit with Chief Executive John Lee during a dialogue session next week.

The tour marked the first time that all lawmakers had travelled together to the capital.

Reflecting on the trip, Starry Lee said lawmakers had gained significant insight and would use the experience to sharpen their legislative skills and raise their standards.

"Members will apply what they have learned from this trip, put it into practice and think about the direction of their future work," she said.

"As elected representatives, we need to rise to challenges, be courageous in taking on responsibility, and serve as loyal partners in government reform."

The week featured a packed schedule, with members attending presentations by high-calibre experts and practitioners.

Topics ranged from the formulation of the national 15th Five-Year Plan to the latest developments across various sectors and the current international geopolitical landscape.

Lawmakers also toured a number of sites to observe the country's modernisation efforts first-hand, with a particular focus on areas such as people's livelihoods and innovation and technology.

Lee said the exposure had enhanced the legislature's ability to respond to community needs and give closer attention to public concerns.

She emphasised that the welfare of the public must remain at the heart of all governance efforts.

"Whether we are officials or legislators, we must always uphold the core value of putting the people first, so that reforms and governance truly benefit every citizen," Lee said.

The visit comes ahead of a landmark exchange session scheduled for July 28, when the chief executive will meet with lawmakers for the first time in a formal dialogue aimed at strengthening mutual understanding and communication between the executive and legislative branches.

Edited by Azam Khan ...