Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor speaks at the reception in celebration of the 22nd anniversary of the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Center on July 1, 2019. [Photo by ROY LIU/CHINA DAILY]

Lam assumed office in 2017 and has taken multipronged efforts ever since to tackle various issues in society in a bid to ease the anxiety in the community and pave the way forward for Hong Kong. Those well-received efforts have been made in areas such as housing, youth, education, and innovation and technology.

But the recent controversies and disputes in the community have made her reflect on her governance style, which she vowed to "make more open and accommodating" in the future.

In order to be closer and more responsive to the aspirations, sentiments and opinions of the community, Lam said she and the government will take the lead to enhance communication with the public and the legislature.

"I know that the government has a lot to improve. We will continue to listen to the community's views and make continuous improvement to our work," she vowed humbly.

The reception at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Center was attended by Tung Chee-hwa, vice-chairman of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference National Committee; Leung Chun-ying, also vice-chairman of the CPPCC National Committee; and Wang Zhimin, director of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the HKSAR. Many other social dignitaries also attended the annual reception.

In recognizing outstanding individuals' contributions in the community, the chief executive has awarded a total of 399 people on this year's Honors List, according to the government's gazette released July 1.