Legco-executive dialogue must deliver more than novelty for Hong Kong
While more communication between the Legislative Council and the government is welcome, what matters most are outcomes that improve Hongkongers’ lives
En resumen
- Hong Kong's first "new style Legco dialogue" with Chief Executive John Lee focused on enhancing communication.
- Lawmakers proposed revamping the 1823 public inquiry hotline with AI, mirroring Beijing's 12345 model, and transforming post offices into resident service centers to improve public services and accountability.
Resumen generado por IA
Por qué importa
The first "new style Legco dialogue" with Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu occurred last week after lawmakers returned from a Beijing study trip. This dialogue aimed to enhance communication and improve Hongkongers' lives.
Exploring new channels for connection is important for enhancing communication. That seems to be one of the major themes of the first “new style Legco dialogue” with Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu, held last week after lawmakers returned from their study trip to Beijing.
Legislative Council members were clearly eager to share ideas with Lee, beginning with suggesting that the city’s 1823 public inquiry and complaint hotline be revamped and modelled after Beijing’s 12345 complaints hotline. Given the Hong Kong government’s artificial intelligence (AI) push, developing an AI-assisted inquiry and complaint hotline to better serve residents makes sense.
It would help Lee and his government keep track of and manage government responses, thereby enhancing accountability and shedding light on inefficiencies and bottlenecks on the ground. The Beijing model uses big data and AI to route responses to the authorities, whereas the current Hong Kong hotline, run by the Digital Policy Office, refers complaints to the relevant departments for follow-up.
Perhaps it is time for a real upgrade when it comes to government capabilities in handling issues and collecting public views. A government that claims to prioritise livelihood issues and the well-being of residents ought to have open channels with both lawmakers and the public so ordinary people can ask questions, lodge complaints and submit their views for all the public consultation exercises both online and offline.
That could mean the government’s iAM Smart app needs a revamp to be truly “smart” enough for a city that boasts of the high standard of its connectivity, efficiency and technology.
It could also mean we can reimagine the role of the post office. My experience of visiting the post office has always been pleasant; the staff are knowledgeable, efficient, friendly and ready to serve. We could consider upgrading and transforming post offices into resident service centres like the citizen service centres in mainland cities.
Preguntas abiertas
- When will the 1823 hotline revamp begin?
- What specific AI technologies will be used?
- Will post offices be transformed into service centers?
