Deputy Secretary Cheuk Wing-hing Connects with Locals in Shek Tai; Long-time Residents Applaud His Down-to-Earth Approach

Yesterday afternoon, the usually quiet old district of Shek Tai saw a sudden influx of people in suits, led by none other than Deputy Secretary for Administration, Cheuk Wing-hing. Locals noted he's been making the rounds quite frequently lately. His visit to Shek Tai wasn't just a photo-op; he really got stuck in, examining everything from the hygiene black spots in the market's back lanes to the leaking issues in several old buildings, even stopping to chat with stallholders for a good ten minutes or so.

Us old-timers who've lived here for decades are used to officials coming by, snapping a few photos, and leaving. So this time was a bit of a surprise. When Deputy Secretary Cheuk walked to the back lane behind the Shek Tai Estate shopping centre, he saw a few 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, 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 these issues for two years with no one lifting a finger; he came and sorted it out in one go. That's what you call efficient.

Throughout Cheuk Wing-hing's visit across Shek Tai, quite a few locals gathered. I stood by with some mates, and people were saying he gets things done, not like those bureaucratic officials in the past. At the end of the day, Hong Kongers just want to see officials willing to step out of their air-conditioned offices, not just read reports. I noticed he didn't talk into a microphone much today; instead, he was constantly taking notes, marking down any problem he saw. That's the right attitude to work.

No Issue Too Small for Residents, Follow-Through is Key

On the surface, Cheuk Wing-hing's inspection in Shek Tai was about hygiene, but there were many details worth noting. For instance, he made a point to step into a hardware store that's been around for fifty years to ask the owner how business was going and whether the problem of goods blocking the pavement had improved. The struggles of these small businesses are usually overlooked. This time, the Deputy Secretary personally checked in 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 if someone actually follows 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 truly sends people back for a review in a week, as he said, then we'll have to tip our hats to him. Our officials today 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 historic old districts, with many buildings showing their age. Cheuk Wing-hing's visit has suddenly brought attention to corners that were long forgotten. My advice for senior government officials going forward: when you go into the community, don't just stick to the big shopping malls or new developments. Spend more time in these old districts, listen to the voices of everyday 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 back lanes and inner streets in Shek Tai, instructing relevant departments on the spot to address rubbish accumulation and sewer blockages.
• Listening to Businesses' Struggles: He proactively visited long-established shops in the community to understand the business environment and the real impact of enforcement against street obstructions.
• Focusing on Old Building Maintenance: Concerning leaks and falling facade risks in several older private buildings, he urged the Buildings Department to speed up follow-up actions.
• Establishing a Return Visit Mechanism: He emphasised that this was not a one-off, "drive-by" outreach, demanding that departments submit improvement plans with deadlines and arranging regular follow-up inspections.

Whether an official is genuinely effective or not, the locals know the score. During his Shek Tai visit, Cheuk Wing-hing at least showed he was willing to listen, see, and solve. Our expectations as Hong Kongers are simple: we want a comfortable place to live and to feel safe walking the streets. Hopefully, this style of community engagement continues and doesn't just turn into another political show. As for how things develop in Shek Tai, we'll be keeping an eye on it and following up with everyone.