Chief Executive hopeful Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor, who is expected to submit the nominations she has received for the 2017 CE election today (Tuesday), announced her entire election platform on Monday. Her manifesto encompasses a wide range of areas - constitutional reform, economic development, education reform, land and housing development, poverty alleviation and elderly care, executive-legislative relations, government restructuring, and participation of young people in governance - which are all crucial to the healthy development of the SAR. They represent all the key issues that are currently under heated debate and the often-mentioned deep-rooted problems in this city.

Some have criticized Lam's belated announcement of her platform and its piece-by-piece presentation - she announced an initial part of her platform two weeks ago. In fact, what Lam has done is nothing but logical, given that she is currently the frontrunner in the race for the top job of the SAR and hence her election manifesto could be the blueprint for Hong Kong's development in the next five to ten years, should she get elected. Understandably, it has to be hammered out with serious consideration - after prolonged deliberation. It should not be put together in a hurry. Elected government heads are often challenged for not honoring their promises made during election campaigns. It can be seen Lam has done her best to make sure the directions and measures she proposes are practical and feasible, not empty pledges intended only to please the public and members of the Election Committee.

A quick look at her manifesto suffices one to know the tremendous efforts she has put into compiling it to make it as close to reality as possible - she revealed she had engaged in close to 100 consultation meetings with people from all walks of life.

One good example of her in-depth comprehension of the real situation is her suggestion to encourage the city's young generation to take part in the formulation process of government policies by serving in the government on contract terms or on statutory bodies and advisory committees. Ever since the illegal "Occupy Central" campaign, young people's discontent with the status quo - mainly caused by the faltering economy and staggering property prices - has come to the forefront. They have nurtured a profound distrust of public servants and tend to oppose any government policies. Engaging them in the policy formulation process would help them acquire a better understanding of how public policies take shape. They could then come to understand why the government is doing what it is doing.

Lam surely knows where to find the keys to solving many of Hong Kong's major problems. And this is what really matters.

(HK Edition 02/28/2017 page7)