Leung to press on with public meetings
The chief executive is still planning a third series of public meetings, despite legislators' calls that the sessions be stopped because they create too much chaos and put pressure on civil servants.
Leung Chun-ying and his cabinet have visited 12 districts in the past two weeks. They are expected to visit the remaining areas - Wan Chai, Sham Shui Po, Tsuen Wan, Northern District, Sha Tin and Yuen Long - on Sunday.
Last Sunday, the administration's second round of town hall-style meetings were marred by protests about illegal structures at Leung's house, Beijing's influence in the city and other issues. Dozens of demonstrators, many of them activists from the League of Social Democrats and People Power, appeared at a Wong Tai Sin community centre. They mobbed a session when Leung and housing chief Professor Anthony Cheung Bing-leung were talking to a full-house audience of about 200.
Those wanting an end to the public meetings include New People's Party chairwoman Regina Ip Lau Suk-yee. 'He can listen to public opinion without going to different districts to meet the public. It is now creating so much chaos, and officials are also being mobbed. It is doing Leung no good,' Ip said.
That view was echoed by the Civic Party's Audrey Eu Yuet-mee.
Emily Lau Wai-hing, vice-chairwoman of the Democratic Party, said Leung should instead set up focus groups to meet different parties.
'He is getting his priorities upside down. If the protesters want to meet Leung, he should have a meeting with them. The district tours are like political shows and they should not top Leung's to-do list.'
The Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong supports the public meetings.
