Li Jia-chao: Governance is like farming and requires deep cultivation and careful work.

Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam posted on social media today that on the occasion of her fourth anniversary in office, she talked to citizens in community gardens. Citizens expressed that the most satisfying part of the planting process is seeing the seedlings grow strong. Although the garden is small, it is full of flowers and the harvest is abundant. Lam said that farming is generally divided into four stages: turning the soil, sowing, cultivation, and harvesting, just like governance, it requires deep cultivation and meticulous work. "Turning the soil" means identifying problems and finding solutions, improving the institutional system through reforms to remove obstacles, overcome difficulties and challenges; "sowing" is establishing direction, introducing different policies and blueprints, setting the direction and goals for future development; "cultivation" is using policies and social resources to help needy citizens; and "harvest" is seeing the results of governance. Lam pointed out that deep cultivation and meticulous work is not something that can be achieved in a short period of time. It requires adapting to various factors, recognizing change, adapting to change, and seeking change, just like his visit to the fully enclosed hydroponic research center, which does not require soil and is not afraid of wind and rain, using technology and artificial intelligence to assist farming. With industrial upgrading and transformation, the form may change, but the spirit of "deep cultivation and meticulous work" remains unchanged. Reflecting on the achievements of her four years in office, Lam mentioned that in these years, the leadership of the current government has continued to promote reform, changing the governance culture to become a government "aiming for results." While consolidating and enhancing Hong Kong's traditional advantages, we must also innovate and reform to open up new paths with an "industry-oriented" approach, improve the well-being of citizens, and firmly believe that under the spirit of "deep cultivation and meticulous work," Hong Kong will undoubtedly achieve even more fruitful results in the future.