In a recent meeting with journalists, Mr Wu objected to this characterisation, pointing out that he had once thrown a tantrum and stormed out of a Legco meeting in protest. There was just one problem: 'It was 8.30 in the morning and there were no journalists there to report it.'

By all means do it again, Mr Wu. But at a more civilised hour, please, and give us some advance notice. We'll even book a photographer for the occasion.

deadpan assets

Some press releases could be issued only in Japan. Like this one yesterday from the Tokyo offices of law firm Paul Hastings: 'Paul Hastings advises on Japan's first securitisation of special event facilities (wedding and funeral) for Nomura Securities'.

'Paul Hastings is delighted to have been involved in a transaction of this kind with such a unique class of assets,' deadpanned one firm representative. 'We believe this deal will open up the present securitisation market to a much broader range of asset possibilities than the more traditional forms of receivables such as mortgages, consumer loans and credit cards.'