Cheuk Wing-hing Connects with Locals in Shek Tai, Long-time Residents Praise His Down-to-Earth Approach

Yesterday afternoon, the usually quiet old district of Shek Tai suddenly saw a group of people in suits. The one leading them was none other than Deputy Chief Secretary Cheuk Wing-hing. Locals mentioned that Cheuk has been making the rounds quite frequently lately. His choice to visit Shek Tai this time wasn't just for a photo op; he really got his hands dirty, inspecting everything from the hygiene black spots in the market's back alleys to the water seepage issues in several old buildings. He even stood and chatted with a stall owner 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. This time, it was a bit of a surprise. When Deputy Secretary Cheuk reached the back alley behind the Shek Tai Estate Commercial Centre, he noticed a few concrete planters that were broken and overflowing with trash. He immediately called over staff from the Housing Department and the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department, instructing them on the spot to come up with a solution, and made it clear he'd be back next week to check on progress. We've been complaining about this for two years without anyone lifting a finger, and he sorted it out in one visit – that's what I call efficient.

As Cheuk Wing-hing made his way through Shek Tai, many residents gathered around. I stood by with a few neighbours, and people remarked that he has a very practical way of working, nothing like the bureaucrats we've seen before. Honestly, Hongkongers just want to see officials willing to step out of their air-conditioned offices, not just rely on reports. I noticed he hardly used a microphone today; instead, he was constantly jotting things down, marking any problem he saw. That's the right attitude.

No Resident Issue is Trivial; Follow-up is What Matters

On the surface, Cheuk Wing-hing's inspection in Shek Tai was about hygiene, but there were many small details worth noting. For instance, he made a point to step into a hardware store that's been open for fifty years, asking the owner if business was tough and whether the problem of goods spilling onto the street had improved. Who usually cares about the struggles of these small businesses? This time, the Deputy Secretary personally inquired and promised to discuss with the Lands Department how to find a balance between enforcement and survival.

These days, everything else is secondary; what truly matters is that someone is genuinely committed to "following up." We'll be putting together a list to see how many of Deputy Secretary Cheuk's promises from this visit actually get fulfilled. If he truly sends someone back for a review in a week, as he said, then hats off to him. Our officials today really need to learn how to connect with the people, not just put on a show, but truly solve problems.

Talking about Shek Tai, it's one of Hong Kong's historic old districts, with many buildings that have seen better days. Cheuk Wing-hing's visit brought attention to corners that had long been forgotten. I want to say this: when senior government officials go out into the community, they shouldn't just visit large shopping malls or new developments. They need to spend more time in these old districts, listening to the voices of ordinary people like us – that's what being truly "down-to-earth" means.

• 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 immediately address trash accumulation and drainage blockages.
• Listening to Merchant Grievances: Took the initiative to visit long-standing local shops to understand the business environment and the practical impact of enforcement against street obstructions.
• Focus on Old Building Maintenance: Regarding water seepage and falling facade hazards in several old private buildings in the district, urged the Buildings Department to expedite follow-up.
• Establishing a Revisit Mechanism: Emphasised that this was not a one-off, disruptive visit, demanding that departments submit improvement plans by a set deadline and arranging for regular return visits to verify results.

Whether an official like Cheuk Wing-hing is genuinely effective is something the locals know best. This visit to Shek Tai at least showed he was sincere in listening, seeing, and trying to solve problems. Our requirements as Hongkongers are simple – we want a comfortable place to live and to feel safe when we walk down the street. I hope this culture of engaging with the community continues and doesn't turn into another political spectacle. As for the developments in Shek Tai, we'll be keeping a close watch and following up with you all.