- Matthew Cheung says he did not speak on the epidemic but the overall situation which was being monitored closely
- Lawmakers grill Cheung and other officials over a funding request for a HK$30-billion package for various sectors hit by the virus
Hong Kong's No 2 official Matthew Cheung Kin-chung on Friday said he was sorry for the "misunderstanding" caused by his remark that the coronavirus epidemic was "under control", saying he was only referring to the government's strategy to contain its spread.
The chief secretary's clarification came as he, along with other officials, was being grilled by lawmakers over a funding request for a HK$30 billion (US$3.9 billion) virus-aid package for various sectors on Friday. The Legislative Council's financial committee has scheduled eight hours for the proposal.
Lawmakers supported the funding plea in general, but raised concerns over the implementation and monitoring of the cash injections to various business sectors, especially questioning the mask production subsidy scheme.
On Wednesday, Cheung told a Legco meeting that the outbreak had been "under control", while urging people to stay vigilant due to infections in the community. The city has reported 69 cases so far.
His remark was criticised by microbiologist Ho Pak-leung, who said an outbreak could only be under control when there were no new confirmed cases in 14 days. He urged Cheung to admit that his remark was incorrect.
Following a statement clarifying the issue on Thursday, Cheung again explained the matter in the finance committee meeting on Friday.
"I probably spoke too fast … and too concise at that time," he said. "It's a misunderstanding that I was speaking on the epidemic. I was actually speaking on the overall situation, which is being monitored closely."
"If I had caused a misunderstanding, I am sorry."
"I am not an expert and I was not speaking in a scientific sense. That's never my intention."
The virus-aid package was announced by Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor last week.
More than half of the funding " HK$16.9 billion " would be used to provide one-off cash injections to retailers, food and drink service providers, transport companies, students, the arts and culture sector, guest houses, and travel agents.
Another HK$10.19 billion would focus on battling the virus, with support given to the Hospital Authority, local production of surgical masks, and the purchase of more protective equipment.
At the Friday meeting, pan-democrat Claudia Mo Man-ching said she would support the package in principle.
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"But I am worried we cannot monitor the funding once it is passed, and it would be treating the symptoms but not the cause," Mo said, expressing worries that the city's borders with the mainland were yet to be completely closed and cross-border travels would make it difficult to curb the epidemic.
Cheung said a committee would be set up to monitor the expenses and the government would report its status to the Legco every six months.
Some pan-democrats also questioned the details of the subsidy scheme for the production of surgical masks, under which HK$1.5 billion would be earmarked for subsidising mask manufacturers to set up a maximum of 20 production lines, while the government planned to buy 2 million masks a month for a year.
A subsidy of up to HK$3 million was planned to be given to mask producers to set up one production line, with an additional HK$2 million for each extra production line in the same factory, given each line produced at least 500,000 masks per month.
Democratic Party's lawmaker Lam Cheuk-ying questioned how officials would make sure the money would be well spent.
"The government is shouldering all the costs, while the producers are pay nothing but they will have the profit. What is the regulated profit margin for them?" he asked.
But Secretary for Commerce and Economic development Edward Yau Tang-wah said the price at which the government would purchase the masks would be set later.
Pointing to the pro-Beijing Federation of Trade Unions which was among those setting up mask factories, Lam said: "You have to understand many residents are worried if there would be collusion. You have to avoid such suspicion."
But lawmaker Alice Mak Mei-kuen of the federation assured that the masks they produced would not be sold but would only be distributed for free. "Don't spoil something good just because of our political difference," she said.
Her colleague Ho Kai-ming said the federation had not ruled out applying for the fund, subject to meeting the criteria rolled out by the government.
Yau said that the government had been in touch with hundreds of individuals interested in producing surgical masks, but none were able to meet a set of four requirements.
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