Bulletin Autumn‧Winter 2000

Analysing Hong Kong' s Ne e d s i n the N ew Century The government of the HKSAR realizes that only by implementing institutional and policy reforms can Hong Kong regain its former stability and prosperity. But how? Prof. Lau believes that the government needs to win the 'confidence, respect, and understanding' of different sectors of society before it can take on the important task o fguiding Hong Kong in overcoming hard times and opening up the future. The success or failure of reform depends on whether the government can build a ruling coalition upon a broad social base. Ac co r d i ng t o Prof. Lau, thi s coalition mu s t be created an d maintained b y th e Chief Executive an d its members should include influential political, economic, and social leaders and the groups they lead or represent, so that they can mobilize the masses and lead public opinion. The coalition must b estable and well structured. I t should constantly try to synchronize different interests so as to be able t ogive balanced attention to all sectors. CHINES E UNIVERSIT Y BULLETI n Autumn . Winter 2000 28