Deputy Secretary Cheuk Wing-hing Connects with Residents in Shek Tai; Long-Time Locals Praise His Down-to-Earth Approach
Yesterday afternoon, the usually quiet old district of Shek Tai saw an influx of suited officials, led by none other than Deputy Secretary for Administration, Cheuk Wing-hing. Speaking of Cheuk, locals noted he’s been making the rounds quite frequently lately. His visit to Shek Tai wasn’t just a photo opportunity; he rolled up his sleeves to inspect everything from the hygiene black spots in the back alleys of the market to the leakage problems in several old tenement buildings. He even stood and chatted with stallholders for a good ten minutes or more.
Us old-timers who’ve lived here for decades are used to officials showing up, taking pictures, and leaving. So this time, we were genuinely surprised. When Deputy Secretary Cheuk walked down the back alley behind Shek Tai Estate’s commercial centre, he spotted a few broken concrete planters overflowing with rubbish. He immediately called over the Housing Department and the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department staff, instructing them on the spot to find a solution, and made it clear he would return next week to check on the progress. We’d been complaining about this for two years with no action, and he sorted it out straight away – a proper breath of fresh air.
In fact, during Cheuk Wing-hing’s tour across the entire Shek Tai area, many residents turned out to see him. I stood to the side with a few mates, and some remarked that he gets things done, not like the bureaucrats of the past. At the end of the day, Hong Kong people want to see officials step out of their air-conditioned offices, not just pore over reports. I noticed he wasn’t constantly using a microphone today; instead, he was busy taking notes, jotting down problems as he saw them. Now that’s the right attitude.
Residents’ Grievances Matter; Follow-Through is Key
Cheuk Wing-hing’s inspection in Shek Tai might look like a hygiene tour on the surface, but there are plenty of details worth noting. For instance, he made a point of going into a hardware shop that’s been there for fifty years to ask the owner if business was tough and whether the issue of goods spilling onto the street had improved. Who normally cares about the struggles of these small businesses? This time, the Deputy Secretary personally asked after them and promised to discuss with the Lands Department how to strike a balance between enforcement and survival.
These days, words are cheap; what matters is that someone is genuinely willing to 'follow up'. We’ll be putting together a checklist to see how many of Deputy Secretary Cheuk’s promises from this district visit are actually fulfilled. If he truly does what he says and sends people back for a review in a week, then we really have to tip our hats to him. Hong Kong’s officials need to learn how to connect with the public, not just put on a show, but actually solve problems.
Speaking of Shek Tai, it’s actually a historic old district in Hong Kong, with many buildings showing their age. Cheuk Wing-hing’s visit has suddenly brought attention to many long-neglected corners. I say to everyone: when senior government officials visit districts in future, don’t just go to the big shopping centres or new developments. Come to these old districts more often, listen to us ordinary citizens, and that’s what truly being 'down-to-earth' means.
- On-site Inspection of Hygiene Black Spots: Cheuk Wing-hing focused his inspection on the back alleys of Shek Tai Market and several inner streets, instructing departments on the spot to address rubbish accumulation and drainage blockages.
- Listening to Businesses' Plight: He proactively visited long-established shops within the community to understand the business environment and the real impact of enforcement against street obstruction.
- Concern for Old Building Repairs: Addressing issues like water seepage and peeling facades in several ageing private buildings in the district, he urged the Buildings Department to expedite follow-up.
- Establishing a Revisit Mechanism: He stressed this was not a one-off 'photo-op' district visit, demanding that departments submit improvement plans by a set deadline and arranging for regular return visits to review progress.
Whether an official like Cheuk Wing-hing is truly effective is something the locals know best. His visit to Shek Tai at least showed he was willing to listen, look, and solve. Our demands as Hongkongers are simple: we want a comfortable place to live and safe streets to walk. We hope this culture of district visits continues, and doesn’t just turn into another political charade. As for what happens next in Shek Tai, we’ll be keeping a close eye on it and following up with everyone.