Paul Chan defends budget strategy as Hongkongers slam lack of ‘sweeteners’
‘I am disappointed that giving out money or consumption vouchers has fallen off the radar,’ resident says
In his budget speech on Wednesday, Chan said billions of Hong Kong dollars would be devoted to further supporting innovation and artificial intelligence while the city would redouble efforts to solidify its status as a global financial centre to align with the country’s latest five-year plan.
But callers to the radio forum said the blueprint failed to offer enough help for the public and criticised the decision to end tax breaks for private electric cars.
“I am disappointed that giving out money or consumption vouchers has fallen off the radar. You hold a consultation every year, but you never listen … the budget consultation is meaningless,” a resident surnamed Tang said.
Chan explained that the government had used different approaches to put more money back into people’s pockets, including increasing tax allowances, offering tax reductions and organising more events to attract tourists to the city.