Housing top priority: HK official

HONG KONG - An integrated approach to housing, planning and lands would send a clear message that the next government takes housing as its top priority, a senior official of the Hong Kong government said Wednesday.

Secretary for Hong Kong Development Bureau Carrie Lam told a media session that the approach will also ensure that the government is geared up to supply land.

She said it is only legitimate for each successive government to reorganize its activities and businesses to reflect the priorities of the day.

"It is beyond doubt that housing will be the 'top-top' priority of the Chief Executive-elect and hence this suggestion, which actually reverts back to the pre-2007 situation, where housing, planning and lands are put together, is I think a very reasonable proposition," she said.

Asked about the proposed establishment of a Culture Bureau, Lam said such a move could integrate the promotion of heritage preservation and local culture.