Tung Chee Hwa, chief executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), highlighted the need for an accountability system in the evolution of Hong Kong's public administration in the government yearbook " Hong Kong 2001" released Wednesday.
Tung said the new Accountability System would enable principal officials to assume responsibility for their policy portfolios, to share a common agenda and to have clear directions.
He said, "We need to feel the pulse of the community, understand community sentiment and strengthen liaison and communication with the Legislative Council, different sectors of the community and the general public."
"We need to improve the prioritizing of the government's agenda as well as overall policy co-ordination. By doing so, we would be able to provide better services to the community," he added.
The annual report is the most authoritative source of information on Hong Kong and a valuable reference source for academics, students, business people and all those who want to know more about the HKSAR.
(China Daily July 18, 2002)