The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government explained to a community in the United States that the imminent adoption of the accountability system will help boost administrative efficiency in the HKSAR.
HKSAR Financial Secretary Anthony Leung made the explanation in his speech to the Asia Society in New York, which was issued by the HKSAR's Government Information Services late Tuesday night.
Speaking on the HKSAR's appointing of a total of 14 principal officials on July 1 to head various bureaus, Leung said, "They (the officials) will have much more contact and communication with the people. They will work more closely with all political parties to get things done faster and more smoothly."
"Those appointed will take full responsibility for their respective portfolios and be accountable for the success or failure of their policies," he added.
The distribution of powers in new system is laid down in the Basic Law, and the strong checks and balances for such powers will come from the HKSAR Legislative Council, the people and the media, Leung stressed.
Despite the reengineering, the Hong Kong SAR is expected to maintain an institutional framework conducive to market development, he said.
But there will be the streamlining and enhancing of the government by "reprioritizing the various things" the HKSAR government does, he said.
( June 5, 2002)
