HK leader seeks to bolster support in policy address

Hong Kong

HONG Kong leader Leung Chun-ying is expected to focus on property, the economy and youth issues in his policy address on Wednesday, seeking to bolster support after last year's massive pro-democracy protests and widespread calls for him to quit.

The annual policy blueprint has been a key platform for leaders in the Chinese-controlled city to hand out billions to the less-advantaged in the form of tax breaks, or to signal shifts in economic, property and political policies.

This year, however, after months of political upheaval that saw protesters occupy key parts of the city for more than two months, Mr Leung must try to boost his ratings among a population that knows that, under Beijing's watchful gaze, he is unable to offer anything significant in the way of dem…