Deputy Secretary Cheuk Wing-hing Connects with Locals in Shek Tai, Earns Praise for Being 'Down-to-Earth'

Yesterday afternoon, the usually quiet, old neighbourhood of Shek Tai suddenly saw a flurry of suits. At the head of the pack was none other than Deputy Secretary for Administration, Cheuk Wing-hing. Locals have noticed he’s been out and about quite a bit lately. His visit to Shek Tai wasn’t just for a photo-op; he was there to really get his hands dirty. From the hygiene black spots in the market’s back alleys to the leaking issues in several old buildings, he took a close look at everything, even stopping to chat with stallholders 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 pictures, and leaving. So today was a bit of a surprise. When Deputy Secretary Cheuk walked down the back alley behind the Shek Tai Estate Shopping Centre, he saw several concrete planter boxes that were broken and overflowing with rubbish. He immediately called over staff from the Housing Department and the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department, demanding they come up with a solution on the spot, and made it clear he’d be back next week to check on progress. We’ve been complaining about these issues for two years with no one taking action. He sorted it in no time—fair play to him.

In fact, throughout Cheuk’s entire walkabout across Shek Tai, many locals came out to see what was happening. Standing on the sidelines with a few neighbours, we remarked that he seems like a practical man, not one of those bureaucratic types from the past. At the end of the day, people here want to see officials step out of their air-conditioned offices and not just rely on reports. I noticed he didn’t really use a microphone today; instead, he was constantly taking notes, marking down any problem he spotted. Now that’s the attitude for getting things done.

No Issue is Too Small, Follow-Through is What Matters

On the surface, Cheuk Wing-hing’s inspection in Shek Tai was about sanitation, but there were many small details worth noting. For instance, he made a point of stepping into a hardware store that’s been open for 50 years to ask the owner if business was tough and if the issues with goods spilling out onto the street had improved. Who usually cares about the struggles of these small traders? This time, the Deputy Secretary personally asked about them and promised to discuss with the Lands Department how to find a balance between enforcement and survival.

These days, talk is cheap; what really matters is genuine 'follow-through.' We’ll be putting together a checklist to see how many of the promises Deputy Secretary Cheuk made during this visit are actually kept. If he does as he says and sends someone back in a week to review progress, then we’ll have to tip our hats to him. Officials here need to learn how to connect with the public, not just put on a show, but genuinely solve problems.

Speaking of Shek Tai, it’s one of Hong Kong’s older districts with a lot of history, and many of its buildings are showing their age. Cheuk Wing-hing’s visit has suddenly brought attention to corners that were long forgotten. I’d say to the government: when senior officials go into the community, don’t just visit big shopping centres or new developments. Come to these old districts more often, listen to the voices of ordinary people like us—that’s what being truly 'down-to-earth' is all about.

• On-site Inspection of Hygiene Black Spots: Cheuk Wing-hing focused on inspecting the back alleys of Shek Tai Market and several inner streets, demanding that departments address issues of rubbish accumulation and clogged drains on the spot.
• Listening to Traders' Concerns: He proactively visited long-established shops in the community to understand the business environment and the practical impact of enforcement against street obstructions.
• Focus on Old Building Maintenance: Regarding issues like leaks and falling exterior plaster in several old private buildings in the district, he urged the Buildings Department to expedite follow-up.
• Establishing a Return Visit Mechanism: He emphasised that this was not a 'one-off' disruptive visit, demanding that departments submit improvement plans within a set timeframe and arranging for regular return visits to review progress.

When it comes to officials like Cheuk Wing-hing, whether he’s genuinely effective or not is something the locals can judge for themselves. This visit to Shek Tai at least showed he’s willing to listen, to look, and to solve problems. Our expectations as people here are simple: we want a comfortable place to live and to feel safe when we’re out. I hope this trend of officials engaging with the community continues, and doesn’t just turn into another political performance. As for what happens next in Shek Tai, we’ll be keeping an eye on it and following up with everyone.