團結香港基金 Our Hong Kong Foundation

Jason Leung, Head of Land & Housing Research, 團結香港基金 Our Hong Kong Foundation, was interviewed by i-CABLE News Limited to share his views on the recent land sale programme of the government and land supply policy.   According to Jason, the primary policy objective of the government is to stabilize land supply, while land price is of secondary importance. He described the current atmosphere of land sales as relatively calm. From the list of land sales, it can be observed that the sites not yet put up for sale include large-scale sites of 1 hectare or above. However, under the current market situation, even if the government puts such sites up for sale, there will be a certain risk of unsuccessful tender. He anticipated that it would be technically difficult to split such sites and make adjustment within a short period of time.   Watch the Show: https://bit.ly/3Lgjfm4 (27:40-28:44)   Hong Kong Housing Landscape Navigator 2024 Full Report: https://bit.ly/4bvEwmz Press Release: https://bit.ly/4cJixcL

Ryan Ip, CFA, MRICS, Vice President cum Co-Head of Public Policy Institute of 團結香港基金 Our Hong Kong Foundation, was interviewed by the 香港經濟日報 to share his views on the recent streamlining procedures announced by the Development Bureau, Hong Kong SAR Government.   Recently, the Development Bureau has introduced streamlining procedures for expediting land supply. Ryan mentioned that, in the past, the government had expedited the vetting and approval procedures in various aspects, but some sectors nonetheless reflected that difficulties were encountered in the frontline procedures.   He described the government's approach this time as a "paradigm shift" from being a regulator to a facilitator. Such a change of mindset is of vital importance and will help accelerate development. He said it was unlikely that the culture of civil servants could be changed overnight, and suggested the government to conduct regular reviews of vetting and approval procedures every six months or a year, to encourage a change in mindset.

團結香港基金 Our Hong Kong Foundation will hold the "Our Hong Kong Stories" series event on 26 July, inviting Dr Jim Thompson, Chairman and Founder of the Crown Worldwide Group of Companies, Chairman of the Asian Youth Orchestra, and Honorary President of the 善寧會, to share his long experience in Hong Kong and the various challenges the city has faced, and why it always makes a strong comeback. Register now!   Dr Jim Thompson has been impressed by the convenience of doing business in Hong Kong and the support of both the people and the government of Hong Kong for companies operating from a Hong Kong base. He described Hong Kong as the most exciting part of the world in East Asia, and added that every businessperson would consider Hong Kong as one of the key places to do business.   Date: 26 July, 2024 (Friday) Time: 4:30pm - 6:00pm Keynote Speaker: Dr Jim Thompson Opening Speaker: Bosco Law Host: Nury Vittachi Language: English Register: https://bit.ly/3VzILHw

Ryan Ip, CFA, MRICS, Vice President cum Co-Head of Public Policy Institute of 團結香港基金 Our Hong Kong Foundation, wrote a commentary in Sing Tao Daily, regarding the unresolved, major, and difficult issues of redeveloping old buildings in urban districts.   Ryan saw urban renewal as an unresolved problem arising from the need to rehabilitate a large number of dilapidated buildings. Hong Kong now has 10,000 buildings over 50 years old, with an average annual increase of 500. The difficulty in accelerating the pace of redevelopment is how to ensure that the projects will break even.   He opined that the basic acquisition price threshold of "7 years old" had indirectly pushed up the acquisition costs and discouraged developers, resulting in fewer and fewer projects with redevelopment potential at present.   To address the unresolved, major, and difficult issues of urban renewal, Ryan suggested starting at the root by reshaping the way it is done, including more reasonable compensation standards, more flexible development approaches, wider sources of funding, and more private sector involvement, so as to enhance the sustainability of urban renewal.   Hong Kong Housing Landscape Navigator 2024 Full Report: https://bit.ly/4bvEwmz Press Release: https://bit.ly/4cJixcL

Dorothy Yeung, MPH, Assistant Researcher, 團結香港基金 Our Hong Kong Foundation, was interviewed by Radio Television Hong Kong (RTHK) Backchat to share her comments on the Review Committee on the Management of the Public Hospital System (the Committee) of the 醫院管理局 (HA).   According to Dorothy, the key to continuous quality improvement in medical services is to establish a cyclical process of review, implementation, and evaluation by the Committee. She suggested the committee to start by investigating the systemic issues of the HA, such as manpower shortage, so as to gain insights.   With regard to medical incidents, Dorothy advised the HA to improve its transparency by leveraging on a system for communicating the incidents, the immediate and remedial actions required, and the follow-up measures to be implemented for any similar scenarios in the future.   Listen to the Podcast: https://bit.ly/3zsXooL (Hospital Authority Governance: 1:50-2:52, 5:30-6:40, 11:30-14:00, 16:00-17:40, 23:05-24:25)

Jason Leung, Head of Land & Housing Research, 團結香港基金 Our Hong Kong Foundation, responded to the government announcement on the Quarterly Land Sale Programme for July to September 2024. His response was quoted and forwarded by 19 media.   Jason noted that the land sites launched during this quarter were all small to medium sized, reflecting the authority's adoption of a more conservative land development strategy. This is a prudent and pragmatic approach under the current sluggish market conditions. The launch of the Siu Lek Yuen site in this quarter is expected, as the site is in a developed area with a high "safety factor".   He was pleased that the government had expedited the release of the Hung Shui Kiu industrial site within September this year, which he considered would help the logistic industry to upgrade and restructure, thereby reinforcing Hong Kong's position as an international maritime center. In addition, expedition of the resumption of brownfield sites for integrated use likely will promote the development of the Northern Metropolis.   Read the Articles: 新城電台: https://bit.ly/3RXgmu5 Now TV Business News Channel: https://bit.ly/469bEiZ etnet: https://bit.ly/3LdzYX8 Dot Dot News: https://bit.ly/3RPJ3sH   Hong Kong Housing Landscape Navigator 2024 Full Report: https://bit.ly/4bvEwmz Press Release: https://bit.ly/4cJixcL

Kenny Shui, Vice President cum Co-Head of Public Policy Institute of 團結香港基金 Our Hong Kong Foundation, responded to the increase of duty-free allowance for luggage articles brought into the Mainland by Mainland visitors travelling from Hong Kong. His response was quoted and forwarded by 12 published and online media.   Kenny welcomed the increase of duty-free allowance for luggage articles brought into the Mainland by Mainland residents travelling from Hong Kong, bringing the total duty-free allowance to RMB15,000. This measure likely will drive more Mainland tourists to consume in Hong Kong, which will boost the local tourism and retail industries.   Kenny recommended a cooperation between the government and shopping malls for stepping up the promotion of the new duty-free allowance to Mainland visitors, so as to further reinforce Hong Kong's position as a "Shopping Paradise".   Read the Articles: Hong Kong Ta Kung Wen Wei Media Group Limited: https://bit.ly/4ctomeA 信報: https://bit.ly/4bvzgz2 Dot Dot News: https://bit.ly/4cNe3Sa

團結香港基金 Our Hong Kong Foundation Assistant Research Director Victor Kwok was invited to moderate the "Get Started with AI" forum organized by Esperanza Life . The forum focused on building a learning innovation ecosystem to facilitate the workforce development of Hong Kong. Notable speakers include former Financial Secretary and now founder of Esperanza Mr John Tsang, Emeritus Professor of Learner Centred Design at the University College of London Knowledge Lab Prof. Rose Luckin, Group CEO and Founder of Kydon Mr David Yeo, and Specialist in Developmental-Behavioural Paediatrics Dr Fanny Lam. Speakers shared their views on how to build a vibrant AI innovation ecosystem, emphasizing the need for a government-led and bottom-up approach, along with active engagement from industries, academia, and the community at large. #OurHongKongFoundation #OHKF #AI #innovation

Jason Leung, Head of Land & Housing Research, 團結香港基金 Our Hong Kong Foundation, was interviewed by Radio Television Hong Kong (RTHK) Backchat to share his insights on whether Light Public Housing (LPH) would be an answer to today's housing shortage issue.   Jason regarded LPH as the interim solution for its three-fold benefits: faster construction lead time, enhancement of people’s livelihoods, and cheaper rental pricing but better quality compared to subdivided units. Hence, he pointed out that LPH would be the quickest solution for helping those living in subdivided units and yearning for improvement in their living conditions.   Jason highlighted that LPH, transitional housing, and traditional public rental housing well complemented each other. Having different eligibility criteria, they form layers of safety net to address various public needs.   Listen to the Podcast: https://bit.ly/3zsXooL (Light Public Housing Applications: 4:45 - 9:15, 16:30 – 18:13, 21:22 – 23:43)   Hong Kong Housing Landscape Navigator 2024 Full Report: https://bit.ly/4bvEwmz Press Release: https://bit.ly/4cJixcL

Dicky Chow, Head of Healthcare & Social Innovation, 團結香港基金 Our Hong Kong Foundation (OHKF), Dorothy Yeung, MPH, Assistant Researcher, OHKF, and Lillian Shu, Intern, OHKF, wrote a commentary on the standardization of advance care planning (ACP) for citizens to make their fine life planning.   The three recommend strengthening the cooperation between the government and relevant sectors, particularly the 醫院管理局 (HA) and organizations with practical experience in the community. The following principles can be considered for the development of a standardized ACP framework, including: first, increasing the participation of the HA and various social welfare organizations to ensure effective communication and cooperation among all parties involved; second, strengthening the training of professionals in the field of end-of life care to improve their service quality and professional level; third, enhancing the eHealth system to realize data sharing and promote efficiency in resource allocation; and fourth, conducting empirical research for unceasing improvement and refinement of the ACP framework by continuously collecting opinions and suggestions from the public.   They proposed the authorities to provide systematic ACP training courses for staff at all levels and appropriate professional counselling services for citizens with different health status so that their medical, social, emotional, and spiritual needs can be met. As a result, the citizens likely are enabled to live out their final years according to their own wishes.   Read the Article: https://bit.ly/3xECUcf   Adding Life To Years: Comprehensive End-Of-Life Care For All Full Report: https://bit.ly/4cN1pCM Press Release: https://bit.ly/4cnp3WI