Cheuk Wing-hing Connects with Residents in Shuo Dai; Long-time Locals Praise His Down-to-Earth Approach

Yesterday afternoon, the usually quiet, old neighbourhood of Shuo Dai suddenly had a few extra suits in the mix. At the front of the pack was none other than Deputy Chief Secretary for Administration, Cheuk Wing-hing. Locals have noticed he’s been out and about quite a bit lately. This time, his visit to Shuo Dai wasn’t just a photo-op; he was truly getting his hands dirty. From the hygiene blackspots in the back alleys of the market to the water seepage issues in a few older buildings, he examined everything closely, even stopping to chat with stall owners for a good ten minutes or more.

For us old-timers who’ve lived here for decades, we’re used to officials showing up, taking a few photos, and disappearing. This time, it was a bit of a surprise. When Deputy Secretary Cheuk got to the back alley behind the Shuo Dai Estate shopping centre, he spotted a few concrete planters that were broken and overflowing with rubbish. He immediately called over the Housing Department and Food and Environmental Hygiene Department staff on the spot, demanding they come up with a solution, and even set a deadline to come back next week to check on progress. We’ve been complaining about this for two years with no result, and he sorted it out in one go. That’s what you call getting things done.

In fact, as Cheuk Wing-hing made his way through Shuo Dai, quite a few locals turned out to see him. A couple of my old mates and I were standing on the sidelines watching. One person remarked that he’s very pragmatic, not at all like the old-school bureaucrats. At the end of the day, people in Hong Kong just want to see their officials step out of their air-conditioned offices and not just read reports. I noticed today he wasn’t really using a microphone; instead, he was constantly jotting things down. Wherever he saw a problem, he’d make a note. That’s the attitude of someone who’s serious about the job.

Residents’ Concerns Are No Small Matter; Follow-Through Is What Counts

Cheuk Wing-hing’s inspection of Shuo Dai might have looked like a routine hygiene tour, but there were plenty of telling details. For instance, he made a point of stepping into a hardware store that’s been there for fifty years to ask the owner if business was tough and whether the problem of goods obstructing the street had improved. Who usually pays attention to the struggles of these small businesses? This time, the Deputy Secretary personally checked in and even promised to discuss with the Lands Department how to strike a balance between enforcing the rules and allowing businesses to survive.

These days, fancy talk means nothing. What really matters is whether someone is genuinely committed to the follow-up. We’ll be putting together a list to see how many of the promises made by Deputy Secretary Cheuk during this visit are actually kept. If he truly does send someone back for a review next week, as he said, then we’ll have to tip our hats to him. Officials in Hong Kong these days need to learn how to truly connect with the public, not just put on a show, but actually solve problems.

Speaking of Shuo Dai, it’s one of Hong Kong’s historic old districts, with many buildings showing their age. Cheuk Wing-hing’s visit has brought much-needed attention to many overlooked corners. From my perspective, when senior government officials go into the community, they shouldn’t just stick to the big shopping malls or new developments. They should spend more time in these old neighbourhoods, listening to the concerns of everyday people like us. That’s what it truly means to be "down-to-earth."

• On-the-Ground Inspection of Hygiene Blackspots: Cheuk Wing-hing focused on the back alleys of Shuo Dai Market and several side streets, giving on-site directives for departments to address rubbish accumulation and sewer blockages.
• Listening to Business Struggles: He took the initiative to step into long-standing local shops to understand the operating environment and the real-world impact of enforcement on street obstructions.
• Focusing on Old Building Maintenance: Regarding the persistent water seepage and falling exterior tiles in several old private buildings, he urged the Buildings Department to expedite follow-ups.
• Establishing a Return Visit Mechanism: He emphasised that this was not a one-off, intrusive visit, requiring various departments to submit improvement plans by a deadline and arranging for regular return visits to review progress.

Whether or not an official like Cheuk Wing-hing is doing a good job is something the locals can feel. This trip to Shuo Dai showed at least he has the intention to listen, to see, and to resolve issues. Our expectations as Hong Kong people are simple: we want to live comfortably and feel safe walking our streets. Hopefully, this style of community engagement can continue and not turn into another political show. As for what happens next in Shuo Dai, we’ll be keeping an eye on it and following through with you all.