PREMIER Zhu Rongji is reported to have criticised Shanghai's leaders for having been 'scooped' by Hong Kong in the battle to host the next Disney theme park.
After the mainland city's admission that it stands virtually no chance of beating the SAR in a direct contest for the US entertainment giant's affections, Mr Zhu apparently questioned how Shanghai, which has been courting Disney for many years, could have been so swiftly overtaken by Hong Kong, which entered the fray only a few months ago.
The Premier suggested this reflected poorly on the eastern coastal city's efficiency and laid down three guidelines to be followed in the theme park contest. Mr Zhu warned the SAR and Shanghai must be careful not to undercut each other by giving away too many concessions during negotiations with Disney.
He also insisted the battle must not be allowed to cause any ill-feeling between the two cities. And the Premier expressed some support for what now seems Shanghai's best hope: the building of two theme parks so both cities can emerge as winners.
Liberal Party dissident Ada Wong Ying-kay has been keeping a low profile after her attack on the party's leadership. She refused to speak to most reporters after her open letter was published in one local paper on Friday, leaving her assistant to deny she was trying to put pressure on chairman James Tien Pei-chun.
While her open letter professed unhappiness at the party's U-turn over the Elsie Leung Oi-sie no-confidence motion, Ms Wong was noticeably absent from a meeting last Tuesday where Liberal leaders were grilled on the issue.
That has prompted speculation about the real reasons behind her open letter. Already some cynical souls are suggesting that, given the Liberals' poor public image, it is good tactics for Ms Wong to make such a high-profile break with the party, if she wants to stand in November's District Council elections.