Chief Executive (CE) Donald Tsang's maiden Policy Address, in which he pledged to eliminate confrontations and disputes and foster harmony in the community with various social services and policies, received warm applause from the community yesterday.

In his address, Tsang stressed the need to provide a better interface between medical and elderly services. These points were hailed by aged residents and their families.

"We really need health care and other forms of attention from the government and community. My 78-year-old mom lives all by herself. She suffered a heart-attack the other day while I was still at work," said Alice Tsang, a 54-year-old Causeway Bay resident.

"I work as a security guard. The long working hours don't allow me to take good care of her. And I don't think it will be good to send her to an elderly home, for she will enjoy better physical and mental health if she lives in the community and maintains a normal social life," said Tsang, adding that she wishes the service would allow the elderly to receive appropriate medical and nursing care in the community and avoid elderly people's premature admission into aged homes.
 
Not yet a pressing issue, but 44-year-old Dennis Guo is in favor of the Comprehensive Social Security Assistance Scheme, a policy that will benefit many senior Hongkongers.

Working as a senior marketing manager in a biotech company in Central, Guo read every word of the CE's Policy Address as soon as it was released on the Internet.

"It's yet an issue that worries me, but I would love to see more and more favorable services and policies once I am retired," said the father of a four-year-old.

"I am thankful that the government has realized the essential problem caused by the polarization of the middle class, and takes it as an inevitable issue that needs to be solved," said Guo.

"The middle class plays an important role in Hong Kong society, however, the middle class has neither enjoyed advantages possessed by the upper classes, nor various pensions from the government. I am glad that our government understands our difficulties."

Guo also echoed the policy that the government will create more jobs and launch more vocational training courses. Tsang's address on environmental pollution also drew attention from the biotech specialist. "It is the whole community's responsibility to protect the environment. But we need the government's surveillance," said Guo, adding that he appreciates Tsang's determination and is expecting the government's immediate measures on "cleaning the air".

Glenn Newns agreed with Guo on the air pollution issue. The 37-year-old Indian said he has witnessed the deterioration of the air quality in Hong Kong.

"When I first came to Hong Kong from Mumbai in the 1980s, the air was much fresher and cleaner," said Newns, who has adopted Hong Kong as his home for life.

"I am most in favor of Tsang's efforts on helping ethnic minorities' integrate into society," said Newns, adding that only by learning to embrace multi-culture can Hong Kong become favorable globally.

(China Daily HK Edition October 13, 2005)