Liberals meet Beijing official
The central government official who last week warned Hong Kong to remain a city of life, not strife, had less to say about stability yesterday and nothing about recent protests when he met Liberal Party members and lawmakers.
Party leader James Tien Pei-chun said they and the Beijing liaison office's deputy director, Zou Zhekai, discussed the national security legislation, the Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement signed with the mainland and the investment-for-residency scheme announced recently by the Hong Kong government.
Mr Tien said Mr Zou asked his assessment of the way forward for the Article 23 legislation. In reply, Mr Tien said he believed stability would be improved if the problems of unemployment and diminishing property values were eased.
'Politically, it will also help stabilise the community when people understand more about the legislation and have fewer worries,' he said.
This is the first time the Liberals have met liaison office representatives since they dropped their support for holding a final vote on the Article 23 legislation in the wake of a mass protest on July 1.
Meanwhile, Chief Executive Tung Chee-hwa met Breakfast Group lawmakers to gauge their views on governance in the wake of the demonstration. Eric Li Ka-cheung, group convenor, said he told Mr Tung that professionals and the middle class felt ignored by the government. 'The government only attaches importance to the views of the grassroots and the business and industrial sectors. Professionals and the middle class generally feel their views are not taken seriously,' he said.
Mr Li said Mr Tung was aware of the problem and had pledged to respond better to the middle classes' concerns.
Abraham Razack, who represents the construction sector in Legco, said he had urged Mr Tung to revive the property market, calling it 'the engine of economic recovery'.
'The government should do something so that the 1.2 million property owners realise there will be a better tomorrow,' he said.
