Prof Anthony Cheung Bing-leung and Mr Stanley Wong Yuen-fai discuss housing issues at Distinguished Leaders Dialogue
Lingnan University organised the Distinguished Leaders Dialogue Series — Dialogue on Housing for the Youth on 20 March. The dialogue series is a major celebratory event for the 50th Anniversary of the University’s re-establishment in Hong Kong.
Prof Anthony Cheung Bing-leung, Former Secretary for Transport and Housing and Mr Stanley Wong Yuen-fai, Member of the Housing Authority were invited as panelists for the dialogue, and Mr Ricky Yu Wai-yip, Founder and CEO of Light Be was the dialogue’s facilitator.
In his welcoming address, Prof Leonard K Cheng, President of Lingnan University pointed out that shortage of housing supply and high property prices has triggered many debates in recent years, and is one of the critical social issues in Hong Kong. “Apart from teachers and students of Lingnan University, many scholars who are concerned about housing and youth development, and representatives from the social welfare as well as real estate related sectors also attended today’s dialogue session. I hope participants’ active exchange with speakers can explore the way out for the issue of housing for the youth,” said President Cheng.
At the dialogue, the panelists and facilitator analysed phenomena or ideas from various perspectives, with topics included “university students’ wait for public housing”, “reliance on financial support from the family”, “nano flats”, “luxury subdivided flats”, “mortgage slaves”, “Hong Kong people’s priority in using local land”, “the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Bay Area rental development” and more. They also delved into the reasons behind the rise of co-living spaces and housing concepts that advocate shared accommodation. The dialogue analysed whether government policies such as the Interim Scheme of Extending the HOS Secondary Market to White Form Buyers and “Starter Homes” Pilot Scheme for Hong Kong Residents would be able to relieve the pressure on young home buyers, what the chief obstacle to tackling young people’s housing demand is, and if there is a way out for the housing crisis among youths in Hong Kong.
The next dialogue on creative arts and culture will be held on 17 April. Panelists include Dr Wilfred Wong Ying-wai, Chairman of Hong Kong Arts Development Council, Ms Ada Wong Ying-kay, Founder and Director of Make A Difference Institute and Mr Adam Wong Sau-ping, Film Director. Prof Michelle Huang Ying-ling, Assistant Professor of Department of Visual Studies of Lingnan University will be the facilitator of the dialogue. Participation of the general public is essential for a city’s cultural and arts development, with collaboration between the government, business sector, arts bodies and the civic society in different aspects. At the dialogue session, panelists will explore related issues with participants who are concerned about creative arts and culture.
Please click here for details of the event and online registration.
